Energy Pyramids Activities for Middle School Science
The Kesler Science Energy Pyramids resources provide a comprehensive, student-centered lesson plan for middle school classrooms, designed to engage students in learning about energy pyramids through a variety of differentiated, multimodal activities. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of energy pyramids. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
The Kesler Science Energy Pyramids Complete Lesson offers a student-centered, multi-day lesson plan for 6th-8th grade students, with all the materials needed for teaching energy pyramids. The lesson is designed for minimal prep time and maximum student engagement, with differentiated materials that cater to varying learning needs. This resource provides flexibility, with both printable and digital formats, as well as Spanish translations of key materials.
Following the 5E Model, the lesson includes stages for Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation. During the Exploration phase, students engage in nine differentiated stations that allow them to explore energy pyramids through hands-on demonstrations, reading passages, research tasks, and videos. These activities cater to multiple learning styles, offering students various ways to absorb and demonstrate their understanding.
For Explanation and Elaboration, editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and note-taking templates support student learning and allow for individualized instruction. The lesson includes opportunities for students to extend their learning through student-choice projects and assess their knowledge through standards-aligned evaluations. Designed for both in-person and virtual classrooms, this lesson ensures that all students can engage with the material effectively.
The Kesler Science Energy Pyramids Complete Lesson offers a student-centered, multi-day lesson plan for 6th-8th grade students, with all the materials needed for teaching energy pyramids. The lesson is designed for minimal prep time and maximum student engagement, with differentiated materials that cater to varying learning needs. This resource provides flexibility, with both printable and digital formats, as well as Spanish translations of key materials.
Following the 5E Model, the lesson includes stages for Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation. During the Exploration phase, students engage in nine differentiated stations that allow them to explore energy pyramids through hands-on demonstrations, reading passages, research tasks, and videos. These activities cater to multiple learning styles, offering students various ways to absorb and demonstrate their understanding.
For Explanation and Elaboration, editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and note-taking templates support student learning and allow for individualized instruction. The lesson includes opportunities for students to extend their learning through student-choice projects and assess their knowledge through standards-aligned evaluations. Designed for both in-person and virtual classrooms, this lesson ensures that all students can engage with the material effectively.
The Kesler Science Energy Pyramids Station Lab offers a modular, student-led approach to learning about energy pyramids, ideal for middle school students. With eight differentiated activities, students explore the flow of energy in ecosystems through engaging, hands-on tasks while working independently or in small groups. This allows teachers to facilitate learning while minimizing prep time.
The nine stations include both input and output activities such as “Explore It!” where students engage with hands-on demonstrations, “Read It!” with differentiated reading passages in English and Spanish, and “Watch It!” with videos and related questions. Output activities like “Organize It!” and “Illustrate It!” give students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding through task cards, models, and written responses.
Designed for flexibility, this station lab is perfect for both in-person and virtual learning environments. Materials such as task cards, literature, and resources are provided, with a bonus “Challenge It!” station for early finishers, offering extended activities to deepen students' knowledge.
The Kesler Science Energy Pyramids Station Lab offers a modular, student-led approach to learning about energy pyramids, ideal for middle school students. With eight differentiated activities, students explore the flow of energy in ecosystems through engaging, hands-on tasks while working independently or in small groups. This allows teachers to facilitate learning while minimizing prep time.
The nine stations include both input and output activities such as “Explore It!” where students engage with hands-on demonstrations, “Read It!” with differentiated reading passages in English and Spanish, and “Watch It!” with videos and related questions. Output activities like “Organize It!” and “Illustrate It!” give students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding through task cards, models, and written responses.
Designed for flexibility, this station lab is perfect for both in-person and virtual learning environments. Materials such as task cards, literature, and resources are provided, with a bonus “Challenge It!” station for early finishers, offering extended activities to deepen students' knowledge.
The Kesler Science Energy Pyramids Student Choice Projects offer middle school students the flexibility to select from six project options or design their own, allowing them to showcase their understanding in a way that aligns with their preferred learning style. The project includes a grading rubric for assessing vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy, and can be used for teacher, peer, or self-assessment.
These student-centered projects are adaptable, with two versions of the project page. The modified version includes options designed for students needing remediation, while the regular version challenges more advanced learners. Teachers can adjust the rubric to suit their specific grading needs, ensuring every student’s strengths are highlighted.
The projects require minimal supplies, such as paper, markers, and scissors, with many options suitable for digital completion. The lesson also includes a teacher directions page with helpful suggestions for smooth implementation, making it an easy and effective way to engage students in learning. Whether students create physical models or digital presentations, the projects are designed to meet diverse needs.
The Kesler Science Energy Pyramids Student Choice Projects offer middle school students the flexibility to select from six project options or design their own, allowing them to showcase their understanding in a way that aligns with their preferred learning style. The project includes a grading rubric for assessing vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy, and can be used for teacher, peer, or self-assessment.
These student-centered projects are adaptable, with two versions of the project page. The modified version includes options designed for students needing remediation, while the regular version challenges more advanced learners. Teachers can adjust the rubric to suit their specific grading needs, ensuring every student’s strengths are highlighted.
The projects require minimal supplies, such as paper, markers, and scissors, with many options suitable for digital completion. The lesson also includes a teacher directions page with helpful suggestions for smooth implementation, making it an easy and effective way to engage students in learning. Whether students create physical models or digital presentations, the projects are designed to meet diverse needs.
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 Food Webs and Energy Pyramid Lab aligns with NGSS MS-LS1-6 and helps students construct explanations for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and energy flow within living systems. Students will explore energy transfer through food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids by either engaging in hands-on group activities or completing interactive digital labs. Both versions feature comprehension questions, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (C.E.R.) prompts, and a reflection section.
This lab includes three differentiated versions—modified, on-level, and independent—making it adaptable for all learners. In the print version, students use yarn, tape, and organism cutouts to model energy pathways in a forest biome. The digital version, requiring no physical materials, provides an alternative for remote learners or students without access to supplies, and is fully compatible with Google Slides and other classroom platforms.
Additional resources include editable PowerPoints, answer keys, teacher guides, and flexible digital and printable formats. The lab promotes multimodal learning and allows teachers to customize the content to meet diverse classroom needs.
The Food Webs and Energy Pyramid Lab aligns with NGSS MS-LS1-6 and helps students construct explanations for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and energy flow within living systems. Students will explore energy transfer through food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids by either engaging in hands-on group activities or completing interactive digital labs. Both versions feature comprehension questions, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (C.E.R.) prompts, and a reflection section.
This lab includes three differentiated versions—modified, on-level, and independent—making it adaptable for all learners. In the print version, students use yarn, tape, and organism cutouts to model energy pathways in a forest biome. The digital version, requiring no physical materials, provides an alternative for remote learners or students without access to supplies, and is fully compatible with Google Slides and other classroom platforms.
Additional resources include editable PowerPoints, answer keys, teacher guides, and flexible digital and printable formats. The lab promotes multimodal learning and allows teachers to customize the content to meet diverse classroom needs.
The Kesler Science Food Webs Escape Room offers an engaging, immersive experience where students can demonstrate their understanding of food webs, food chains, and energy transfer in ecosystems. Teachers have full control over the puzzles, allowing flexibility to choose and arrange the eight independent puzzles based on class length and needs.
To run the escape room, you can use manila envelopes for a simple setup or go for a more authentic experience with lockout hasps and locks. The materials included cover everything needed for both in-person and virtual settings, with printable resources and optional plastic animals for added fun. The product also offers two digital options: a Single Student Digital Version that works in Google Slides or a printable PDF version for home use.
What's included are teacher directions, an answer key, a video challenge, and a wide array of resources, including a digital answer sheet for Google Classroom, editable teacher versions, and reward templates. The puzzles are designed to be interactive and fun while reinforcing essential concepts about ecosystems.
The Kesler Science Food Webs Escape Room offers an engaging, immersive experience where students can demonstrate their understanding of food webs, food chains, and energy transfer in ecosystems. Teachers have full control over the puzzles, allowing flexibility to choose and arrange the eight independent puzzles based on class length and needs.
To run the escape room, you can use manila envelopes for a simple setup or go for a more authentic experience with lockout hasps and locks. The materials included cover everything needed for both in-person and virtual settings, with printable resources and optional plastic animals for added fun. The product also offers two digital options: a Single Student Digital Version that works in Google Slides or a printable PDF version for home use.
What's included are teacher directions, an answer key, a video challenge, and a wide array of resources, including a digital answer sheet for Google Classroom, editable teacher versions, and reward templates. The puzzles are designed to be interactive and fun while reinforcing essential concepts about ecosystems.
In the Kesler Science Energy Flow Reading Comprehension activity, students explore energy flow through living systems by reading a nonfiction article on food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids. They then complete comprehension questions and create an energy pyramid for a chosen organism. This science reading comprehension activity enhances middle school students' literacy and understanding of energy flow concepts in ecosystems.
The resource includes two leveled articles, with Lexile levels of 1100-1300, appropriate for grades 6-8 and higher-level 5th graders. Students will answer 5-7 comprehension questions and complete a mini-project, reinforcing the concepts learned. A Cornell notes template is included for students who need additional support, along with colorful graphics that can be printed in grayscale.
This resource is ideal for in-person or virtual learning environments, with files compatible with Google Classroom, MS Teams, and other platforms. It’s great for absent students, extra credit, sub plans, or whole-class instruction, and it encourages meaningful classroom discussions while building textual analysis and reading comprehension skills.
In the Kesler Science Energy Flow Reading Comprehension activity, students explore energy flow through living systems by reading a nonfiction article on food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids. They then complete comprehension questions and create an energy pyramid for a chosen organism. This science reading comprehension activity enhances middle school students' literacy and understanding of energy flow concepts in ecosystems.
The resource includes two leveled articles, with Lexile levels of 1100-1300, appropriate for grades 6-8 and higher-level 5th graders. Students will answer 5-7 comprehension questions and complete a mini-project, reinforcing the concepts learned. A Cornell notes template is included for students who need additional support, along with colorful graphics that can be printed in grayscale.
This resource is ideal for in-person or virtual learning environments, with files compatible with Google Classroom, MS Teams, and other platforms. It’s great for absent students, extra credit, sub plans, or whole-class instruction, and it encourages meaningful classroom discussions while building textual analysis and reading comprehension skills.
The Ecosystem Energy Science Writing Activity engages middle school students in a creative “call to action” writing prompt designed to reinforce their understanding of energy flow in ecosystems. This student-centered, low-prep resource helps learners extend their science reasoning skills while enriching their writing in a fun and meaningful way. The activity is suitable for both in-person and virtual settings, making it a flexible tool for life science instruction.
This TEKS- and NGSS-aligned resource includes teacher directions with rubrics and project ideas, projection and print handouts, and a digital version compatible with PowerPoint or Google Slides. Students receive full-sized and half-sheet layouts with pre-writing strategies and self-checks to guide their work, and the digital format allows completion in Edit mode for seamless classroom or remote learning.
Ideal for cross-curricular connections, formative assessments, student choice projects, or early finisher enrichment, this writing prompt can also be used for extra credit, make-up work, or TELPAS samples. The completed work can be showcased on bulletin boards or compiled into individual student anthologies, making it a versatile and engaging classroom resource.
The Ecosystem Energy Science Writing Activity engages middle school students in a creative “call to action” writing prompt designed to reinforce their understanding of energy flow in ecosystems. This student-centered, low-prep resource helps learners extend their science reasoning skills while enriching their writing in a fun and meaningful way. The activity is suitable for both in-person and virtual settings, making it a flexible tool for life science instruction.
This TEKS- and NGSS-aligned resource includes teacher directions with rubrics and project ideas, projection and print handouts, and a digital version compatible with PowerPoint or Google Slides. Students receive full-sized and half-sheet layouts with pre-writing strategies and self-checks to guide their work, and the digital format allows completion in Edit mode for seamless classroom or remote learning.
Ideal for cross-curricular connections, formative assessments, student choice projects, or early finisher enrichment, this writing prompt can also be used for extra credit, make-up work, or TELPAS samples. The completed work can be showcased on bulletin boards or compiled into individual student anthologies, making it a versatile and engaging classroom resource.
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.
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 is the flow of energy through an energy pyramid diagrammed?
Kesler Science Membership
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