Biomes Activities for Middle School Science
The Kesler Science Biomes resources provide a comprehensive, engaging, and flexible curriculum for middle school students to explore Earth's biomes. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of biomes. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
The Kesler Science Biomes 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, editable unit designed to help middle school students explore how biodiversity contributes to ecosystem sustainability. This multiday, low-prep lesson includes presentations, worksheets, assessments, and student-choice projects that support differentiated and student-led learning. The materials include Spanish translations of vocabulary, reading passages, and interactive notebook pages.
The lesson follows the 5E Model—Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation—beginning with vocabulary resources and class activities to spark curiosity. During the Exploration phase, students rotate through nine station activities tailored to various learning styles. These stations combine hands-on experiments, videos, readings, digital card sorts, and writing prompts, allowing students to absorb and demonstrate knowledge in multimodal ways. A bonus challenge station offers enrichment for early finishers.
For Explanation, students use editable PowerPoints and interactive notebooks to build understanding, supported by note-taking tools. In the Elaboration phase, learners complete student-choice projects to apply their knowledge creatively. The Evaluation phase includes STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments, review questions, and worksheets. All components are flexible for both in-person and virtual instruction.
The Kesler Science Biomes 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, editable unit designed to help middle school students explore how biodiversity contributes to ecosystem sustainability. This multiday, low-prep lesson includes presentations, worksheets, assessments, and student-choice projects that support differentiated and student-led learning. The materials include Spanish translations of vocabulary, reading passages, and interactive notebook pages.
The lesson follows the 5E Model—Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation—beginning with vocabulary resources and class activities to spark curiosity. During the Exploration phase, students rotate through nine station activities tailored to various learning styles. These stations combine hands-on experiments, videos, readings, digital card sorts, and writing prompts, allowing students to absorb and demonstrate knowledge in multimodal ways. A bonus challenge station offers enrichment for early finishers.
For Explanation, students use editable PowerPoints and interactive notebooks to build understanding, supported by note-taking tools. In the Elaboration phase, learners complete student-choice projects to apply their knowledge creatively. The Evaluation phase includes STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments, review questions, and worksheets. All components are flexible for both in-person and virtual instruction.
Engage your middle school students with this student-led station lab focused on biomes. Designed to promote independent learning, this modular activity includes nine differentiated stations that allow students to explore and compare biome characteristics through hands-on tasks, readings, research, and multimedia. The lab encourages self-directed discovery while the teacher facilitates learning, making it ideal for both in-class and virtual environments.
The lab features eight core stations—Explore It, Read It, Research It, Watch It, Organize It, Illustrate It, Write It, and Assess It—plus a Challenge It station for early finishers. Students engage with the material in varied ways: conducting demonstrations, analyzing visuals, answering comprehension questions, sketching models, and completing vocabulary-based assessments. Spanish and English reading passages and digital formats ensure accessibility and flexibility.
Included with the Biomes 5E Lesson Plan, this low-prep resource provides all necessary signage, task cards, and digital components. Whether working independently or in small groups, students stay actively engaged while deepening their understanding of ecosystems and the diversity of biomes.
Engage your middle school students with this student-led station lab focused on biomes. Designed to promote independent learning, this modular activity includes nine differentiated stations that allow students to explore and compare biome characteristics through hands-on tasks, readings, research, and multimedia. The lab encourages self-directed discovery while the teacher facilitates learning, making it ideal for both in-class and virtual environments.
The lab features eight core stations—Explore It, Read It, Research It, Watch It, Organize It, Illustrate It, Write It, and Assess It—plus a Challenge It station for early finishers. Students engage with the material in varied ways: conducting demonstrations, analyzing visuals, answering comprehension questions, sketching models, and completing vocabulary-based assessments. Spanish and English reading passages and digital formats ensure accessibility and flexibility.
Included with the Biomes 5E Lesson Plan, this low-prep resource provides all necessary signage, task cards, and digital components. Whether working independently or in small groups, students stay actively engaged while deepening their understanding of ecosystems and the diversity of biomes.
The Kesler Science Biomes Student Choice Projects lesson allows middle school students to select from multiple project options that match their learning style. Students can choose from six project ideas or create their own, with a grading rubric for assessments by teachers, peers, or themselves.
These flexible projects are designed to be dynamic and accommodate different learning needs. Teachers can easily modify the rubric to fit their grading preferences, and the activities offer multimodal choices, ensuring students can showcase their knowledge in creative, personalized ways.
Differentiated for various levels, this project includes both standard and modified versions, providing support for students needing remediation while challenging advanced learners. The materials are easy to use, requiring basic classroom supplies, and many projects can be completed digitally.
The Kesler Science Biomes Student Choice Projects lesson allows middle school students to select from multiple project options that match their learning style. Students can choose from six project ideas or create their own, with a grading rubric for assessments by teachers, peers, or themselves.
These flexible projects are designed to be dynamic and accommodate different learning needs. Teachers can easily modify the rubric to fit their grading preferences, and the activities offer multimodal choices, ensuring students can showcase their knowledge in creative, personalized ways.
Differentiated for various levels, this project includes both standard and modified versions, providing support for students needing remediation while challenging advanced learners. The materials are easy to use, requiring basic classroom supplies, and many projects can be completed digitally.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems Interactive Notebook Bundle provides an engaging and interactive way for students to explore key ecosystems concepts. Designed for flexibility, the resource includes both print and digital versions, making it suitable for traditional classrooms, 1:1 environments, and distance learning settings.
The bundle covers a wide range of topics, including biotic and abiotic factors, biomes, food webs, symbiosis, and the nitrogen and carbon cycles. Digital features include a unique interactive notebook PowerPoint, editable Google Slides compatibility, reflection pages, and modified versions for students with accommodations. The paper version includes blank and pre-filled templates, complete with color examples to guide students and teachers.
This resource supports differentiated instruction and accommodates all learners with thoughtfully designed templates and modifications. Whether in person or online, the Ecosystems Interactive Notebook promotes active learning, critical thinking, and scientific literacy.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems Interactive Notebook Bundle provides an engaging and interactive way for students to explore key ecosystems concepts. Designed for flexibility, the resource includes both print and digital versions, making it suitable for traditional classrooms, 1:1 environments, and distance learning settings.
The bundle covers a wide range of topics, including biotic and abiotic factors, biomes, food webs, symbiosis, and the nitrogen and carbon cycles. Digital features include a unique interactive notebook PowerPoint, editable Google Slides compatibility, reflection pages, and modified versions for students with accommodations. The paper version includes blank and pre-filled templates, complete with color examples to guide students and teachers.
This resource supports differentiated instruction and accommodates all learners with thoughtfully designed templates and modifications. Whether in person or online, the Ecosystems Interactive Notebook promotes active learning, critical thinking, and scientific literacy.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems Sub Plans provide a complete, engaging lesson for middle school students, perfect for substitute days or distance learning. Students begin with a warm-up puzzle before exploring ecosystems through a reading passage and creating an infographic. They break down key vocabulary using a graphic organizer, covering terms like biome, predator, prey, producer, and consumer.
For early finishers, extension activities include analyzing a biome's ecosystem or completing a Venn diagram comparing ecosystems and biomes. The lesson concludes with an assessment or exit ticket, ensuring a comprehensive review. Sub plans include detailed instructions, answer keys, and behavior checkpoints to make the substitute’s job seamless and productive.
Designed for flexibility, these sub plans include printable and digital formats for use in class or online. Features like editable documents, Google Forms answer sheets, and PDF options ensure accessibility, making these sub plans ideal for busy teachers and ensuring continuity of learning for students.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems Sub Plans provide a complete, engaging lesson for middle school students, perfect for substitute days or distance learning. Students begin with a warm-up puzzle before exploring ecosystems through a reading passage and creating an infographic. They break down key vocabulary using a graphic organizer, covering terms like biome, predator, prey, producer, and consumer.
For early finishers, extension activities include analyzing a biome's ecosystem or completing a Venn diagram comparing ecosystems and biomes. The lesson concludes with an assessment or exit ticket, ensuring a comprehensive review. Sub plans include detailed instructions, answer keys, and behavior checkpoints to make the substitute’s job seamless and productive.
Designed for flexibility, these sub plans include printable and digital formats for use in class or online. Features like editable documents, Google Forms answer sheets, and PDF options ensure accessibility, making these sub plans ideal for busy teachers and ensuring continuity of learning for students.
The Kesler Science Biomes Escape Room offers an exciting, hands-on way for students to showcase their knowledge of major biomes. This immersive activity includes eight independent puzzles, allowing teachers to customize the experience to fit class periods of varying lengths. Students engage in problem-solving and collaboration as they work through challenges related to biome concepts.
The escape room can be set up using manila envelopes for a budget-friendly option or enhanced with locks, hasps, and storage boxes for a more authentic experience. All necessary materials, including printable puzzles, detailed instructions, and a video introduction, are provided. Digital versions are available for online learning, with options for single-student formats in Google Slides or printable PDF versions for home use.
With editable teacher resources, a digital answer sheet, and engaging rewards, the Biomes Escape Room is perfect for fostering critical thinking and teamwork. This versatile activity is ideal for in-class or virtual settings, ensuring students stay engaged while deepening their understanding of biomes in a fun and memorable way.
The Kesler Science Biomes Escape Room offers an exciting, hands-on way for students to showcase their knowledge of major biomes. This immersive activity includes eight independent puzzles, allowing teachers to customize the experience to fit class periods of varying lengths. Students engage in problem-solving and collaboration as they work through challenges related to biome concepts.
The escape room can be set up using manila envelopes for a budget-friendly option or enhanced with locks, hasps, and storage boxes for a more authentic experience. All necessary materials, including printable puzzles, detailed instructions, and a video introduction, are provided. Digital versions are available for online learning, with options for single-student formats in Google Slides or printable PDF versions for home use.
With editable teacher resources, a digital answer sheet, and engaging rewards, the Biomes Escape Room is perfect for fostering critical thinking and teamwork. This versatile activity is ideal for in-class or virtual settings, ensuring students stay engaged while deepening their understanding of biomes in a fun and memorable way.
The Kesler Science Biomes Reading Comprehension lesson immerses middle school students in the study of biomes and microhabitats, focusing on how different environments support diverse organisms. After reading a nonfiction article, students complete comprehension questions and use a graphic organizer to examine the characteristics of several biomes.
The leveled article is designed for students in grades 6-8 and is available in two Lexile levels (1100-1300). It includes 5-7 comprehension questions and a hands-on mini-project to engage students actively. A Cornell notes template is also provided to support student learning and organization.
This resource is flexible for both in-person and virtual learning environments, with easy-to-use files compatible with platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, and Schoology. The activities are perfect for absent students, extra credit, science sub plans, or whole-class instruction, helping build science literacy and reading comprehension skills.
The Kesler Science Biomes Reading Comprehension lesson immerses middle school students in the study of biomes and microhabitats, focusing on how different environments support diverse organisms. After reading a nonfiction article, students complete comprehension questions and use a graphic organizer to examine the characteristics of several biomes.
The leveled article is designed for students in grades 6-8 and is available in two Lexile levels (1100-1300). It includes 5-7 comprehension questions and a hands-on mini-project to engage students actively. A Cornell notes template is also provided to support student learning and organization.
This resource is flexible for both in-person and virtual learning environments, with easy-to-use files compatible with platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, and Schoology. The activities are perfect for absent students, extra credit, science sub plans, or whole-class instruction, helping build science literacy and reading comprehension skills.
The Kesler Science Biomes Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in life science by encouraging them to explore biomes through a creative travel brochure project. This activity promotes science reasoning and exploration while allowing students to enrich their writing skills. Designed for both in-person and virtual learning, it ensures students stay engaged outside the classroom.
The activity includes comprehensive teacher directions, rubrics, and a range of handout options, including full-sized and half-sheet versions. These can be printed or projected for easy classroom use. The digital interactive version, compatible with PowerPoint or Google Slides, provides flexibility for remote learning.
Perfect for various classroom needs, this writing prompt can be used for cross-curricular projects, formative assessments, or differentiation exercises. It works as a student choice project, early finisher task, or even as a make-up or extra credit assignment, making it a versatile addition to your lesson plan.
The Kesler Science Biomes Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in life science by encouraging them to explore biomes through a creative travel brochure project. This activity promotes science reasoning and exploration while allowing students to enrich their writing skills. Designed for both in-person and virtual learning, it ensures students stay engaged outside the classroom.
The activity includes comprehensive teacher directions, rubrics, and a range of handout options, including full-sized and half-sheet versions. These can be printed or projected for easy classroom use. The digital interactive version, compatible with PowerPoint or Google Slides, provides flexibility for remote learning.
Perfect for various classroom needs, this writing prompt can be used for cross-curricular projects, formative assessments, or differentiation exercises. It works as a student choice project, early finisher task, or even as a make-up or extra credit assignment, making it a versatile addition to your lesson plan.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems WIKI Tickets are versatile formative assessments designed for 6th-8th grade science topics. These engaging assessments come in five formats for each topic: full screen for projection, three handout sizes (full, split, and quarter-page), and a digital interactive version that can be used as an editable PPT or Google Slides file. Perfect for checking understanding, these WIKI Tickets provide flexible options for in-person and virtual learning environments.
Aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, each WIKI Tickets set includes a variety of topics like biodiversity, ecosystems, photosynthesis, and human impact. A bonus table of contents helps teachers quickly find the alignment for each standard. Some topics even have multiple tickets to reinforce key concepts and support student learning.
These assessments are ideal for use as exit tickets, bellringers, or anytime you need quick feedback on student progress. With digital and print formats available, they can be easily adapted for any classroom setting, providing a fun and effective way to gauge students' understanding of science concepts.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems WIKI Tickets are versatile formative assessments designed for 6th-8th grade science topics. These engaging assessments come in five formats for each topic: full screen for projection, three handout sizes (full, split, and quarter-page), and a digital interactive version that can be used as an editable PPT or Google Slides file. Perfect for checking understanding, these WIKI Tickets provide flexible options for in-person and virtual learning environments.
Aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, each WIKI Tickets set includes a variety of topics like biodiversity, ecosystems, photosynthesis, and human impact. A bonus table of contents helps teachers quickly find the alignment for each standard. Some topics even have multiple tickets to reinforce key concepts and support student learning.
These assessments are ideal for use as exit tickets, bellringers, or anytime you need quick feedback on student progress. With digital and print formats available, they can be easily adapted for any classroom setting, providing a fun and effective way to gauge students' understanding of science concepts.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems Lesson Extensions offer student-choice activities to challenge fast finishers and encourage critical thinking. These activities provide engaging ways to deepen learning and can be used to wrap up lessons, prevent distractions, or fill gaps during testing. Each extension is designed to scaffold learning with activities that align with NGSS and TEKS standards, making them perfect for students ready to explore topics like ecosystems in more depth.
Included in each Lesson Extension are four activity types: Puzzler, Maker Space, Tech Connection, and Word Master. These activities focus on problem-solving, STEAM connections, digital media, and creative writing, providing opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in diverse and engaging ways. Both digital and paper versions are available, with teacher directions and answer keys for easy implementation.
These extensions are ideal for pushing independent learners further, offering rigorous, fun, and hands-on learning opportunities. With topics ranging from biodiversity to ecosystems and environmental changes, these resources help extend students' understanding of science concepts while reinforcing critical skills.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems Lesson Extensions offer student-choice activities to challenge fast finishers and encourage critical thinking. These activities provide engaging ways to deepen learning and can be used to wrap up lessons, prevent distractions, or fill gaps during testing. Each extension is designed to scaffold learning with activities that align with NGSS and TEKS standards, making them perfect for students ready to explore topics like ecosystems in more depth.
Included in each Lesson Extension are four activity types: Puzzler, Maker Space, Tech Connection, and Word Master. These activities focus on problem-solving, STEAM connections, digital media, and creative writing, providing opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in diverse and engaging ways. Both digital and paper versions are available, with teacher directions and answer keys for easy implementation.
These extensions are ideal for pushing independent learners further, offering rigorous, fun, and hands-on learning opportunities. With topics ranging from biodiversity to ecosystems and environmental changes, these resources help extend students' understanding of science concepts while reinforcing critical skills.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces and reinforces the concepts of ecosystems and habitats through real-world connections. Students begin with an engaging reading about coverboards and microhabitats, followed by comprehension and extension questions that prepare them for deeper exploration. A second reading explains the science behind ecosystems and habitats in a student-friendly way, helping learners build a solid foundation.
Designed to supplement any middle school science lesson, this TEKS-aligned resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, and editable materials in print and digital formats. It also features full-page projection slides, interactive notebook-compatible handouts, and differentiated versions to support all learners. Sentence starters and simplified language are included to make comprehension more accessible.
Ideal for the Engagement and Elaboration phases of the 5E model, this two-part activity bookends a core lesson by sparking interest at the beginning and reinforcing key concepts at the end. Whether used in-person or virtually, this no-prep resource offers a flexible and effective way to bring ecosystems and habitats to life for middle school students.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces and reinforces the concepts of ecosystems and habitats through real-world connections. Students begin with an engaging reading about coverboards and microhabitats, followed by comprehension and extension questions that prepare them for deeper exploration. A second reading explains the science behind ecosystems and habitats in a student-friendly way, helping learners build a solid foundation.
Designed to supplement any middle school science lesson, this TEKS-aligned resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, and editable materials in print and digital formats. It also features full-page projection slides, interactive notebook-compatible handouts, and differentiated versions to support all learners. Sentence starters and simplified language are included to make comprehension more accessible.
Ideal for the Engagement and Elaboration phases of the 5E model, this two-part activity bookends a core lesson by sparking interest at the beginning and reinforcing key concepts at the end. Whether used in-person or virtually, this no-prep resource offers a flexible and effective way to bring ecosystems and habitats to life for middle school students.
Year-Round Resources
These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
Visual Data & Graphing
You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.
Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups
These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.
Review Board Games
Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.
Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.
Essential Questions
Below are the essential questions associated with the lessons and activities included in this unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.
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How does biodiversity contribute to the sustainability of an ecosystem?
Kesler Science Membership
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