Resource Management Activities for Middle School Science

The Kesler Science Resource Management 5E Lesson is a comprehensive Earth science unit that explores the importance of resource management in addressing global energy poverty, malnutrition, and environmental pollution. This fully editable, multiday lesson includes presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments designed for student-led, differentiated learning with minimal prep.

Aligned with the 2021 TEKS 6.11A standard, the unit follows the 5E Model. Students engage with objectives, word wall cards, and class discussions. In the exploration phase, a differentiated station lab features nine multimodal stations, including hands-on experiments, reading passages in English and Spanish, research activities, videos, and interactive tasks. Output stations allow students to demonstrate understanding through categorization, writing, illustrating, and assessments, with a bonus challenge station for enrichment.

Explanation materials include editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and note-taking templates. Elaboration offers student-choice projects, and evaluation includes STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments and review worksheets. With printable and digital formats, this lesson provides maximum flexibility for both in-class and virtual learning.

Engage your students with this student-led station lab aligned to TEKS 6.11A, exploring the importance of resource management in reducing global energy poverty, malnutrition, and air and water pollution. Designed for in-class or virtual learning, this Earth science lesson allows students to direct their own learning through interactive, differentiated stations.

The lab features nine modular stations, each providing a unique way to interact with key concepts. Students will explore demonstrations, analyze videos, read and research informational texts, and engage in hands-on activities. They will demonstrate their understanding through organization tasks, illustrations, written responses, and assessments. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities such as crosswords, games, and mini projects. This low-prep, high-engagement resource promotes critical thinking and active learning in a student-centered environment.

The Resource Management Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 6.11A, allowing middle school students to choose a project that matches their preferred output style. A project page outlines six student-led options plus a “design your own” project, with an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also part of the Resource Management Complete Lesson for TEKS 6.11A.  

These flexible, multimodal projects provide creative ways for students to demonstrate their understanding. Two versions of the project page support differentiation, with modified options for students needing remediation and challenge opportunities for advanced learners. Teachers can adjust the rubric to fit grading needs.  

The projects use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, and many options can be completed digitally.