Resources for Grades 6 - 8
Learn, Create, Discover, Explore

Click on a category to jump to that section:​
General Homework Help
Languages
Health & Science
Computer Skills
News & Social Awareness
​​Create & Contribute
​Podcasts

General Homework Help

Britannica School Edition
Access the elementary, middle, and high school levels of the online encyclopedia Britannica.  Cross-curricular articles are available at multiple reading levels in science, history, and more!
Britannica Escolar (Spanish Edition of Britannica School)
Enciclopedia para estudiantes de 6 a 14 años de edad. Busca biografías e información sobre lugares y cosas. Mira los videos y animaciones para aprender más.
Gale in Context (Middle School)
Reference content for middle school students including videos, newspapers, magazines, primary sources, and much more. Find outstanding support to complete assignments in core subjects including literature, science, social studies, and history.

Languages

Mango Languages
​Start the conversation in your choice of over 70 world languages and dialects through courses crafted using conversational methodology. You can even download the app and learn on-the-go!

Health & Science

How Stuff Works
Ever wonder how erasers erase?  Or what's inside a car engine?  This site explores concepts, inventions, and nature, explaining How Stuff Works in an easy-to-understand and fun way.
KidsHealth
Find out ways to stay healthy and learn about how your body works with movies, quizzes, games, and more. Questions about growing up? There's a section for that too.
Learn with Smithsonian
Meet the animals at the National Zoo, take a 3D tour of different artifacts, play STEM games online, or visit the learning lab for ideas to build stuff at home.

Computer Skills

Code.org
The Code Studio is always open! Learn computer coding basics or build your own game.  No account is needed, but you can create one to save your progress.
Interland by Google
Interland is an adventure-packed online game that puts the key lessons of digital citizenship and safety into hands-on practice.  In the game, players explore four floating islands: Kind Kingdom, Reality River, Mindful Mountain, and Tower of Treasure.
Typing Club: Progress through lessons for touch typing (using all of one's fingers to type on a keyboard, without looking at the keys) that includes upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
Typing Monster: Defeat the monster by typing the paragraphs text that appears and destroy fire balls by typing the numbers on them! Requires flash player.

News & Social Awareness

Tween Tribune
Stay up-to-date on news relevant to you! Smithsonian sponsors this not-for-profit site that provides articles chosen for students with topics ranging from arts and entertainment to world news and culture.  
Above the Noise
This is a YouTube series for teens that cuts through the hype and dives deep into the research behind the issues affecting their daily lives. Every other Wednesday, the series investigates controversial subject matter to help young viewers draw informed conclusions, while inspiring media literacy and civic engagement.
News Lit Quiz: The Easiest Quiz of All Time
Here’s a sample question:
Complete the iconic Star Wars quote: “_____, I am your father.”
Before you decide, double-check your facts.

Create & Contribute

ChessKid is a an online chess opponent and tutor all in one. 
​The site includes interactive lessons, puzzles, and even a downloadable curriculum for adults interested in teaching chess.
NaNoWriMo
Every story matters. Start yours with NaNoWriMo, a free online creative platform designed to help writers track their progress, set milestones, connect with other writers, and more as a novel takes shape.
Zooniverse
Join the world’s largest and most popular platform for people-powered research. Sign up and volunteer to help classify wildlife, identify celestial bodies, and more!

Podcasts

Peace Out:* Perfect for relaxing and winding down. 

Tumble:* Crack science reporting and interviews with experts on new scientific discoveries, from biofuels to black holes.

Short and Curly:* An Australian podcast examines serious ethical questions (“Would you donate your kidney to a stranger?”) with plenty of time for listeners to interact and share views.

The Past and the Curious:* History with a side of fun, this features stories about such figures as Nellie Bly and Henry “Box” Brown.

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel:* Middle grade kids script and voice this mystery show in a high-quality cross between The Goonies and Stranger Things.

The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian:* Sci-fi adventures starring an eight-year-old on a space station who explores the galaxy with friends.

Brains On!:* Kids submit questions; scientists answer them. Music, wisecracks, and decoding a mystery sound every episode keep things lively.

Book Club For Kids:* Middle schoolers discuss books and sometimes hear a celebrity read or answer questions.

​*Recommended by School Library Journal's "Prime Time for Podcasts."