Sell middle school resources for grades 6-8 and KS3
Middle school teachers often see 120 or more students a day across five or six classes. They buy resources that keep a room of 12-year-olds working without a lot of extra explaining.
Short answer: You can sell middle school resources on TeachLessons by applying with the short form and emailing your files, previews and Resource Submission List to support@stifo.de. You set your price in US dollars and keep 70% of net revenue. There are no fees, and you keep the right to sell the same resources elsewhere.
Who buys middle school resources?
Unlike elementary, the middle school buyer is usually a subject specialist: a grade 7 science teacher, a KS3 history teacher, a Year 8 maths teacher. They know their content well and will spot a shallow or inaccurate resource quickly. What they need is not more content knowledge but ready, well-structured material that works with students who are moving from concrete to abstract thinking.
Middle school is also where many teachers end up teaching outside their specialism. A PE teacher covering a health class or a science teacher picking up a section of math will buy a full unit with a clear teacher guide. Write descriptions that serve both: precise content for the specialist, clear notes for the non-specialist.
What keeps grades 6-8 students engaged?
Teachers of this age group buy for engagement first. The activities that hold up well in a real middle school room:
Escape rooms and puzzles
Content-based codes and locks, with a printable and a no-tech version. Include a reset guide for the next class period.
Stations and gallery walks
Six to eight stations with a single recording sheet that moves students around the room.
Case studies and mysteries
A real problem to solve, for example a historical decision, a science investigation or a data mystery.
Debates and discussion protocols
Structured roles, sentence stems and evidence cards that keep discussion on task.
Choice boards
A grid of tasks at different levels, letting students pick how they show what they learned.
Doodle notes and guided notes
Structured note pages that cut copying time and keep attention on the lesson.
Keep visuals age-appropriate. Cute clip art that works in grade 3 can make a 13-year-old feel talked down to. Clean layouts, real photos and a slightly older tone sell better.
How do I design resources students can do independently?
Middle school teachers need material for sub days, catch-up work and absent students. A resource that a student can complete without the teacher in the room is worth more to them. Make it work on its own:
- Put directions at the top of every student page, in two sentences or fewer.
- Include a worked example before the first practice question.
- Add self-check elements, such as a fold-under answer strip or a color-by-number check, so students know they are on track.
- Write a one-page plan for a substitute teacher: what to hand out, timing and what students submit.
- Keep reading levels manageable. Grade 6 readers range widely; a glossary box helps.
If you sell sub plans as a separate type, say so in the title. Teachers search for "sub plans" (US) or "cover work" (UK) directly.
How should a middle school unit be structured?
Specialists buy units because a unit saves the most planning time. A unit they can trust has a consistent structure:
- Unit overview with learning goals, a pacing guide and the standards or curriculum points you aligned it to.
- Daily lessons with slides, student pages and teacher notes.
- A pre-assessment and a final assessment with answer keys.
- Vocabulary list and a review activity.
- Differentiated versions or extension tasks.
Write the alignment honestly, for example "aligned by the author to grade 7 CCSS ratios standards" or "covers KS3 national curriculum content on...". Don't imply official approval. A buyer who teaches in a different system can ask for an adaptation under the TeachLessons Guarantee within 30 days.
Should I sell print, digital or both?
Many middle schools give every student a device, but printed pages are still used for tests, notes and anything students annotate. The most flexible option is both: a PDF for print and an editable or digital version (Google Slides link, PPTX) in the same ZIP. Say clearly in the description which formats are included.
For digital versions, test them as a student would: can students type in every answer box, and are background elements fixed so they can't be moved by accident? Our page on selling digital resources and Google Slides explains how to package a Google link so it opens without a login.
TeachLessons does not check resources for third-party rights. Images, video stills and fonts in your slides must be yours or licensed for commercial use.
Which grade labels should I use in different countries?
US: middle school, grades 6-8 (sometimes junior high, grades 7-9). England: KS3, Years 7-9, secondary. Scotland: S1 to S3. Australia: Years 7-9, lower secondary or middle years. Canada: grades 6-8 or intermediate, depending on province. Use the main label in the title and the others in the description, and keep spelling consistent with your target market.
How should I price middle school units, and how do I start?
| Example | Price | Payout per sale |
|---|---|---|
| Escape room for one topic | $4.99 | $3.39 |
| Set of 8 stations | $5.00 | $3.40 |
| Two-week unit with slides and test | $20.00 | $13.58 |
| Full-year grade 7 course | $50.00 | $33.95 |
You set prices in US dollars; our suggestion of a minimum of $4.99 for a single resource is optional. Check other prices in the payout calculator.
To start, apply with the short application form. We email you the documents. Fill in one row per resource in the Resource Submission List, then send everything in one email to support@stifo.de, or one shared link that opens without a login, up to 100 MB per resource. Resources go live once set up, so send final versions. More on large catalogs in how to submit many resources at once.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell resources I made for my middle school classes?
Often yes, if they are your own work and contain no student data. Whether your employer has any claim depends on your contract and local law, so check your contract or ask your school or union.
Should I include a substitute plan?
It is optional, but teachers value resources that students can do without them. A short sub or cover plan adds clear value.
Can I include video clips in my slides?
Only clips you made or licensed for commercial use. Linking to a public video in teacher notes is safer than copying the clip into your files.
Do I need to align to standards?
It isn't required, but buyers often filter by standards or curriculum. Describe your alignment honestly and avoid suggesting official approval.
Can I sell both a print and a Google Slides version?
Yes. Put both into one ZIP as one resource, or list them as two resources with separate prices.
How much is the payout on a $20 unit?
$13.58 per sale, paid monthly by the 15th via PayPal in US dollars.
Ready to sell your teaching resources?
Apply with the short form. We email you the seller documents, you send your final files with previews and thumbnails, and we set up your product pages, your author page and landing pages. You keep 70% of net revenue, with no fees and no exclusivity.
Keep reading
General information about the TeachLessons Seller Program, not legal, tax or financial advice. The signed Seller Agreement sets out the binding terms. Questions: support@stifo.de.