Minimizing Environmental Impact Activities for 5th Grade Science

This 5th-grade environmental science unit helps students explore solutions like conservation, recycling, and waste disposal to minimize environmental impact, aligned with the 2021 TEKS 5.11 standard. Following the 5E Model, it includes engaging activities, a student-led station lab, and interactive notebooks in English and Spanish. Through multimodal stations—such as reading, experiments, videos, and research—students learn about reducing, reusing, and recycling. Activities like card sorts, writing responses, and illustrating concepts allow students to demonstrate their learning. The unit also features extension activities, editable PowerPoints, digital and print notebooks, and STAAR 2.0 aligned assessments, making it suitable for both in-class and virtual learning with minimal prep. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of how to minimize environmental impacts. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

This elementary environmental science unit helps 5th-grade students design and explain solutions like conservation, recycling, and waste disposal to minimize the environmental impact of natural resource use. The unit includes editable PowerPoints, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments, all aligned with the 2021 TEKS 5.11 standard. The lesson follows the 5E Model with resources for each phase: engaging activities, a differentiated student-led station lab, and interactive notebooks in English and Spanish.

Students explore topics like reducing, reusing, and recycling through multimodal stations including reading, experiments, videos, and research. They demonstrate their learning through activities like card sorts, writing responses, and illustrating concepts. Extension activities are included for early finishers. The lesson also includes editable PowerPoints, digital and print versions of interactive notebooks, and student-choice projects. Evaluation includes STAAR 2.0 aligned assessments, review questions, and worksheets for test practice. This unit is designed for both in-class and virtual learning environments with minimal prep required.

This student-led, modular station lab aligns with the 2021 TEKS 5.11 standard on minimizing environmental impacts from natural resource use. Designed for 5th grade, the activities engage students in designing and explaining solutions like conservation, recycling, and proper disposal.

The nine stations include a range of differentiated activities, giving students a chance to direct their own learning. These stations incorporate a variety of materials for independent or small group work, requiring minimal extra materials. Students will explore conservation methods through activities like watching videos, reading passages, conducting research, and completing hands-on tasks. They will also show their understanding by illustrating, organizing, writing, and assessing their knowledge. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities for early finishers.

This station lab can be used in both in-person and virtual settings, making it a versatile resource for your classroom.

The Minimizing Environmental Impact Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS Earth science standard 5.11, offering 5th grade students multiple project options to explore geology. A project page outlines six student-led project choices and a “design your own” option, with an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment.

These flexible projects allow for creativity and personalization, supporting students with various learning needs. Teachers can modify the rubric as necessary, and the projects can be completed using standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, or digitally.

Included in the project are nine project options plus the “design your own” choice, a Teacher Directions page, and editable rubric pages that assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. Differentiated versions are available for students needing extra support or challenge.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the atoms unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions

How can you design a successful solution involving conservation, recycling, and proper waste disposal?
Explain how your solution minimizes environmental impact and decreases the use of natural resources.

Standards

TEKS Science - 5.11 Minimizing Environmental Impacts