Respiratory System Activities for Middle School Science
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Resources offer a comprehensive, student-centered curriculum designed for middle school students. Adaptable for both in-person and virtual learning, this curriculum is a flexible and effective way to foster deep understanding of the respiratory system. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Complete 5E Lesson provides everything needed for an engaging, multi-day lesson on the respiratory system for 6th to 8th grade students. With minimal prep required, this resource emphasizes student-led learning, maximizing flexibility with printable, digital, and editable materials, including Spanish translations.
Based on the 5E Model, the lesson engages students through a variety of differentiated activities. The Exploration phase includes nine student-led stations, such as hands-on demos, reading passages, research tasks, and videos, offering multiple learning styles. Output stations encourage students to organize, write, illustrate, and assess their understanding.
In the Explanation phase, editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and note-taking templates are available, while the Elaboration phase extends learning through student-choice projects. Evaluation materials include assessments and review questions for flexible use in both physical and virtual classrooms.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Complete 5E Lesson provides everything needed for an engaging, multi-day lesson on the respiratory system for 6th to 8th grade students. With minimal prep required, this resource emphasizes student-led learning, maximizing flexibility with printable, digital, and editable materials, including Spanish translations.
Based on the 5E Model, the lesson engages students through a variety of differentiated activities. The Exploration phase includes nine student-led stations, such as hands-on demos, reading passages, research tasks, and videos, offering multiple learning styles. Output stations encourage students to organize, write, illustrate, and assess their understanding.
In the Explanation phase, editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and note-taking templates are available, while the Elaboration phase extends learning through student-choice projects. Evaluation materials include assessments and review questions for flexible use in both physical and virtual classrooms.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Station Lab is a modular, student-led activity that focuses on the respiratory system, keeping middle school students engaged and enhancing their learning. This hands-on lesson saves prep time while allowing students to take charge of their learning. Through eight differentiated stations, students explore various aspects of the respiratory system and its function, with an additional challenge station for early finishers.
The nine stations cover both input and output activities. Input stations, like "Explore It!" and "Research It!", provide students with various ways to interact with the material, including digital images, websites, and readings. Output stations, such as "Organize It!" and "Illustrate It!", allow students to express their learning through hands-on activities, drawings, and written responses.
Designed for flexibility, this resource can be adapted for in-person or virtual settings, offering a variety of methods for students to engage with and demonstrate their understanding of the respiratory system.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Station Lab is a modular, student-led activity that focuses on the respiratory system, keeping middle school students engaged and enhancing their learning. This hands-on lesson saves prep time while allowing students to take charge of their learning. Through eight differentiated stations, students explore various aspects of the respiratory system and its function, with an additional challenge station for early finishers.
The nine stations cover both input and output activities. Input stations, like "Explore It!" and "Research It!", provide students with various ways to interact with the material, including digital images, websites, and readings. Output stations, such as "Organize It!" and "Illustrate It!", allow students to express their learning through hands-on activities, drawings, and written responses.
Designed for flexibility, this resource can be adapted for in-person or virtual settings, offering a variety of methods for students to engage with and demonstrate their understanding of the respiratory system.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Student Choice Projects lesson gives middle school students the freedom to select a project that best matches their learning style. With nine project options, including a "design your own" choice, students can showcase their knowledge creatively and personally. Teachers can modify rubrics to fit their grading needs, while the multimodal project options provide flexible assessment methods.
This resource is differentiated to support various student needs, with a modified version that includes additional project options for remediation. Students needing a challenge can combine projects, using the same rubric for consistency.
Materials are simple, relying on basic classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with some options for digital work. This allows for an adaptable, hands-on learning experience for all students, whether in-person or virtual.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Student Choice Projects lesson gives middle school students the freedom to select a project that best matches their learning style. With nine project options, including a "design your own" choice, students can showcase their knowledge creatively and personally. Teachers can modify rubrics to fit their grading needs, while the multimodal project options provide flexible assessment methods.
This resource is differentiated to support various student needs, with a modified version that includes additional project options for remediation. Students needing a challenge can combine projects, using the same rubric for consistency.
Materials are simple, relying on basic classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with some options for digital work. This allows for an adaptable, hands-on learning experience for all students, whether in-person or virtual.
The Kesler Science Body Systems Interactive Notebook Bundle provides a hands-on and engaging way for students to learn about body systems, offering both print and digital options for flexible use in traditional classrooms, 1:1 settings, or distance learning environments. Students can explore key systems, such as the circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems, while interacting with customized templates and reflection pages to enhance understanding.
The digital version features an interactive PowerPoint file that can be uploaded to Google Slides or other platforms like MS Teams or Canvas, making it easy to assign and complete remotely. Students can add notes, complete reflection activities, and access modified templates as needed. The teacher key and modified digital versions ensure accessibility for all learners.
The paper version includes blank and pre-filled templates, along with color photos for guidance, making it ideal for interactive notebooks. This comprehensive bundle offers everything teachers need to support students’ mastery of body system concepts while catering to diverse learning needs.
The Kesler Science Body Systems Interactive Notebook Bundle provides a hands-on and engaging way for students to learn about body systems, offering both print and digital options for flexible use in traditional classrooms, 1:1 settings, or distance learning environments. Students can explore key systems, such as the circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems, while interacting with customized templates and reflection pages to enhance understanding.
The digital version features an interactive PowerPoint file that can be uploaded to Google Slides or other platforms like MS Teams or Canvas, making it easy to assign and complete remotely. Students can add notes, complete reflection activities, and access modified templates as needed. The teacher key and modified digital versions ensure accessibility for all learners.
The paper version includes blank and pre-filled templates, along with color photos for guidance, making it ideal for interactive notebooks. This comprehensive bundle offers everything teachers need to support students’ mastery of body system concepts while catering to diverse learning needs.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Inquiry Lab aligns with NGSS standards by helping students explore how the organs of the respiratory system work together. Students can engage through either a virtual lab experience—featuring an interactive demonstration and a recorded video—or by completing a hands-on experiment using common materials. Both formats include comprehension questions, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (C.E.R.) prompts, and a reflection section to support student learning.
This resource offers three differentiated versions to meet diverse classroom needs. The dependent version blends procedure with guided questions, the modified version supports learners who benefit from more structure, and the independent version challenges advanced students with a more open-ended, student-led approach. Each version is included in both print and digital formats, ensuring teachers can easily tailor the lab for their students.
Students will build a working model of the respiratory system to investigate how the lungs, diaphragm, and airways function together. The lab promotes multimodal learning and is fully editable for teacher customization. Answer keys and teacher resource pages are included, along with digital files compatible with Google Slides and a video tutorial to support students and streamline classroom implementation.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Inquiry Lab aligns with NGSS standards by helping students explore how the organs of the respiratory system work together. Students can engage through either a virtual lab experience—featuring an interactive demonstration and a recorded video—or by completing a hands-on experiment using common materials. Both formats include comprehension questions, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (C.E.R.) prompts, and a reflection section to support student learning.
This resource offers three differentiated versions to meet diverse classroom needs. The dependent version blends procedure with guided questions, the modified version supports learners who benefit from more structure, and the independent version challenges advanced students with a more open-ended, student-led approach. Each version is included in both print and digital formats, ensuring teachers can easily tailor the lab for their students.
Students will build a working model of the respiratory system to investigate how the lungs, diaphragm, and airways function together. The lab promotes multimodal learning and is fully editable for teacher customization. Answer keys and teacher resource pages are included, along with digital files compatible with Google Slides and a video tutorial to support students and streamline classroom implementation.
The Kesler Science Body Systems Sub Plans guide students through an engaging sequence of activities, including a warm-up puzzle, a reading passage, and a hands-on project to create a booklet labeling the organs and functions of each body system. Using their booklets, students answer questions to deepen their understanding. Extension activities challenge early finishers to explore how systems like the skeletal and muscular systems work together or how multiple systems collaborate to digest a meal. The lesson concludes with an assessment or exit ticket.
Comprehensive support is provided for both in-class and distance learning formats, including substitute teacher instructions, a Google Form answer sheet, and editable resources. Each lesson is thoughtfully crafted to minimize downtime, with substitute directions, behavior checkpoints, and engaging activities to ensure a productive day. Digital versions allow students to annotate PDFs or submit answers online, making the resource versatile for remote or in-person use.
These middle school science sub plans are perfect for days when teachers are out, offering clear instructions for substitutes and meaningful, student-centered activities. They are also ideal for homework, extra credit, or small group sessions. Packed with editable documents, answer keys, and flexible learning formats, these plans make managing classroom learning seamless and stress-free.
The Kesler Science Body Systems Sub Plans guide students through an engaging sequence of activities, including a warm-up puzzle, a reading passage, and a hands-on project to create a booklet labeling the organs and functions of each body system. Using their booklets, students answer questions to deepen their understanding. Extension activities challenge early finishers to explore how systems like the skeletal and muscular systems work together or how multiple systems collaborate to digest a meal. The lesson concludes with an assessment or exit ticket.
Comprehensive support is provided for both in-class and distance learning formats, including substitute teacher instructions, a Google Form answer sheet, and editable resources. Each lesson is thoughtfully crafted to minimize downtime, with substitute directions, behavior checkpoints, and engaging activities to ensure a productive day. Digital versions allow students to annotate PDFs or submit answers online, making the resource versatile for remote or in-person use.
These middle school science sub plans are perfect for days when teachers are out, offering clear instructions for substitutes and meaningful, student-centered activities. They are also ideal for homework, extra credit, or small group sessions. Packed with editable documents, answer keys, and flexible learning formats, these plans make managing classroom learning seamless and stress-free.
The Kesler Science Body Systems Escape Room provides an immersive, hands-on way for students to demonstrate their understanding of major body systems, their structures, and their functions. With eight unique puzzles, teachers have full control over the activities, choosing which puzzles to use and their order—perfect for adapting to different class lengths. This engaging activity combines critical thinking, teamwork, and science content into a memorable classroom experience.
The escape room can be run using simple materials like manila envelopes or with more authentic props, including locks and a storage box, for a realistic feel. Both physical and digital versions are available, offering flexibility for in-person or virtual learning. Digital versions include editable PowerPoints and Google Slides, while printable materials support at-home or classroom setups. Tools like UV pens, red cellophane, and mirrors add to the fun, but alternatives are provided for cost-effective implementation.
The product includes everything needed for a smooth experience: teacher directions, a detailed answer key, a digital answer sheet, editable templates, a mood-setting video challenge, printable props, reward templates, and over 50 prize ideas. Whether used in a physical or digital format, the Kesler Science Escape Room is an engaging and versatile resource for reinforcing body systems knowledge.
The Kesler Science Body Systems Escape Room provides an immersive, hands-on way for students to demonstrate their understanding of major body systems, their structures, and their functions. With eight unique puzzles, teachers have full control over the activities, choosing which puzzles to use and their order—perfect for adapting to different class lengths. This engaging activity combines critical thinking, teamwork, and science content into a memorable classroom experience.
The escape room can be run using simple materials like manila envelopes or with more authentic props, including locks and a storage box, for a realistic feel. Both physical and digital versions are available, offering flexibility for in-person or virtual learning. Digital versions include editable PowerPoints and Google Slides, while printable materials support at-home or classroom setups. Tools like UV pens, red cellophane, and mirrors add to the fun, but alternatives are provided for cost-effective implementation.
The product includes everything needed for a smooth experience: teacher directions, a detailed answer key, a digital answer sheet, editable templates, a mood-setting video challenge, printable props, reward templates, and over 50 prize ideas. Whether used in a physical or digital format, the Kesler Science Escape Room is an engaging and versatile resource for reinforcing body systems knowledge.
In this comprehensive lesson, students dive into the respiratory system by reading a nonfiction article that explores its main structures and functions. After completing comprehension questions, students research and create an informational poster about respiratory disorders. This activity engages middle school students with both an article and a hands-on mini-project, designed to boost science literacy and reading comprehension.
The lesson includes two leveled articles appropriate for grades 6-8, with Lexile levels between 1100-1300. Students will answer 5-7 questions related to the article, while the mini-project allows for creativity and research. Additional resources, such as a Cornell notes template, are included to support note-taking, and colorful graphics are provided for printing in both color and grayscale.
This resource is perfect for in-person or virtual learning environments. The materials are compatible with platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas, allowing for flexible use in both remote and classroom settings. It’s ideal for absent students, extra credit, sub plans, and enhancing science reading comprehension across the curriculum.
In this comprehensive lesson, students dive into the respiratory system by reading a nonfiction article that explores its main structures and functions. After completing comprehension questions, students research and create an informational poster about respiratory disorders. This activity engages middle school students with both an article and a hands-on mini-project, designed to boost science literacy and reading comprehension.
The lesson includes two leveled articles appropriate for grades 6-8, with Lexile levels between 1100-1300. Students will answer 5-7 questions related to the article, while the mini-project allows for creativity and research. Additional resources, such as a Cornell notes template, are included to support note-taking, and colorful graphics are provided for printing in both color and grayscale.
This resource is perfect for in-person or virtual learning environments. The materials are compatible with platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas, allowing for flexible use in both remote and classroom settings. It’s ideal for absent students, extra credit, sub plans, and enhancing science reading comprehension across the curriculum.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Science Writing Prompt Activity offers middle school students a creative, low-prep way to test and extend their understanding of life science. Through a song-based writing prompt, students will engage in science reasoning and exploration while enhancing their writing skills. This activity is designed for flexibility, including both printable and digital versions that can be used in-person or virtually, making it perfect for all learning environments.
This resource is aligned with TEKS and NGSS standards and provides teachers with easy-to-use materials, including teacher directions, an answer guide, and project ideas. The writing prompt can be projected for the whole class or shared virtually, and it includes full-sized and half-sheet handouts, which can be used in interactive notebooks or writing journals. Additionally, a digital interactive version in PowerPoint format is available for seamless integration into Google Slides.
The Respiratory System Writing Prompt can be used in various ways, such as for cross-curricular activities, pre-test formative assessments, student choice projects, or as an elaboration tool for early finishers. It’s also ideal for extra credit, make-up work, TELPAS samples, and differentiation exercises.
The Kesler Science Respiratory System Science Writing Prompt Activity offers middle school students a creative, low-prep way to test and extend their understanding of life science. Through a song-based writing prompt, students will engage in science reasoning and exploration while enhancing their writing skills. This activity is designed for flexibility, including both printable and digital versions that can be used in-person or virtually, making it perfect for all learning environments.
This resource is aligned with TEKS and NGSS standards and provides teachers with easy-to-use materials, including teacher directions, an answer guide, and project ideas. The writing prompt can be projected for the whole class or shared virtually, and it includes full-sized and half-sheet handouts, which can be used in interactive notebooks or writing journals. Additionally, a digital interactive version in PowerPoint format is available for seamless integration into Google Slides.
The Respiratory System Writing Prompt can be used in various ways, such as for cross-curricular activities, pre-test formative assessments, student choice projects, or as an elaboration tool for early finishers. It’s also ideal for extra credit, make-up work, TELPAS samples, and differentiation exercises.
The Kesler Science WIKI Tickets provide engaging, flexible formative assessments for 6th–8th grade science topics, designed to check student understanding in a fun and interactive way. Aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, these assessments cover nine body systems, including the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and skeletal systems, as well as sensory information. Each topic includes five formats: projection, full-page, split-page, quarter-page handouts, and editable digital versions for use in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
These colorful WIKI Tickets can be used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick checks for learning progress. Teachers have the flexibility to use them in print, project them for whole-class responses, or assign them digitally for 1:1 and virtual settings. A bonus table of contents file shows the alignment of each ticket to middle school science standards, ensuring comprehensive coverage of key concepts.
Perfect for both in-person and remote learning, the WIKI Tickets make lesson planning easier while keeping students engaged and on track. These versatile tools ensure you're prepared to assess understanding in any learning environment.
The Kesler Science WIKI Tickets provide engaging, flexible formative assessments for 6th–8th grade science topics, designed to check student understanding in a fun and interactive way. Aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, these assessments cover nine body systems, including the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and skeletal systems, as well as sensory information. Each topic includes five formats: projection, full-page, split-page, quarter-page handouts, and editable digital versions for use in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
These colorful WIKI Tickets can be used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick checks for learning progress. Teachers have the flexibility to use them in print, project them for whole-class responses, or assign them digitally for 1:1 and virtual settings. A bonus table of contents file shows the alignment of each ticket to middle school science standards, ensuring comprehensive coverage of key concepts.
Perfect for both in-person and remote learning, the WIKI Tickets make lesson planning easier while keeping students engaged and on track. These versatile tools ensure you're prepared to assess understanding in any learning environment.
The Kesler Science Body Systems Lesson Extensions provide student-choice activities designed to challenge early finishers and deepen their understanding of body systems through engaging, creative, and rigorous learning opportunities. These activities are perfect for ending lessons, filling testing gaps, or keeping students focused with NGSS- and TEKS-aligned content. Students can explore critical thinking and creativity through puzzles, STEAM-based maker activities, digital media projects, and creative writing tasks.
Each extension includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection options for digital boards, and printable handouts in full- and half-sheet formats. Topics covered include the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, integumentary, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and skeletal systems, as well as sensory information, making them a perfect supplement for anatomy and physiology units.
Kesler Science Lesson Extensions help scaffold learning for independent learners, offering a variety of high-level activities to enhance problem-solving, creativity, and hands-on engagement, all while maintaining alignment with key science standards.
The Kesler Science Body Systems Lesson Extensions provide student-choice activities designed to challenge early finishers and deepen their understanding of body systems through engaging, creative, and rigorous learning opportunities. These activities are perfect for ending lessons, filling testing gaps, or keeping students focused with NGSS- and TEKS-aligned content. Students can explore critical thinking and creativity through puzzles, STEAM-based maker activities, digital media projects, and creative writing tasks.
Each extension includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection options for digital boards, and printable handouts in full- and half-sheet formats. Topics covered include the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, integumentary, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and skeletal systems, as well as sensory information, making them a perfect supplement for anatomy and physiology units.
Kesler Science Lesson Extensions help scaffold learning for independent learners, offering a variety of high-level activities to enhance problem-solving, creativity, and hands-on engagement, all while maintaining alignment with key science standards.
The Body Systems Card Sort activity helps students learn about the ten major human body systems by sorting them based on their system name, main function, and major organs. This engaging activity can be used during instruction, as a review game, or for intervention and tutoring, providing a fun alternative to traditional study methods.
The body systems included are circulatory, skeletal, endocrine, muscular, integumentary, nervous, digestive, excretory, respiratory, and reproductive. This resource is suitable for any middle school students studying body systems.
The Body Systems Card Sort activity helps students learn about the ten major human body systems by sorting them based on their system name, main function, and major organs. This engaging activity can be used during instruction, as a review game, or for intervention and tutoring, providing a fun alternative to traditional study methods.
The body systems included are circulatory, skeletal, endocrine, muscular, integumentary, nervous, digestive, excretory, respiratory, and reproductive. This resource is suitable for any middle school students studying body systems.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces and reinforces the respiratory system through the real-world experience of playing outside on a chilly day. The introductory reading explores why your chest might hurt after running in the cold, with comprehension and extension questions to support student understanding. A follow-up explanatory reading breaks down the science behind this phenomenon in an accessible way and includes additional questions to extend learning.
This no-prep resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides, and both print and digital formats for flexible use. Materials are editable and available as full- and half-sheet handouts for interactive notebooks. A differentiated version with sentence starters supports students who need modified content.
Designed to bookend a main lesson, these readings are ideal for the Engagement and Elaborate phases of a 5E lesson plan. Whether used in-person or digitally, this activity encourages students to connect respiratory system concepts to their daily lives.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces and reinforces the respiratory system through the real-world experience of playing outside on a chilly day. The introductory reading explores why your chest might hurt after running in the cold, with comprehension and extension questions to support student understanding. A follow-up explanatory reading breaks down the science behind this phenomenon in an accessible way and includes additional questions to extend learning.
This no-prep resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides, and both print and digital formats for flexible use. Materials are editable and available as full- and half-sheet handouts for interactive notebooks. A differentiated version with sentence starters supports students who need modified content.
Designed to bookend a main lesson, these readings are ideal for the Engagement and Elaborate phases of a 5E lesson plan. Whether used in-person or digitally, this activity encourages students to connect respiratory system concepts to their daily lives.
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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What is the main function of the respiratory system and how is it structured?
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What are the main organs associated with this system?
Kesler Science Membership
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