Hierarchy of Ecosystems Activities for Middle School Science
This engaging 5E lesson, aligned to TEKS 6.12C, helps middle school students explore the hierarchical organization of organisms, populations, and communities within ecosystems. It features low-prep, editable materials like presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments designed for differentiated, student-led learning. Students engage with interactive objectives, vocabulary cards in English and Spanish, and a station lab with nine activities, including reading passages, videos, research tasks, and creative exercises. The lesson also offers editable PowerPoints, interactive notebook templates, and elaboration projects to deepen understanding, with resources adaptable for both in-class and virtual learning. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of the hierarchy of ecosystems. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems 5E Lesson is a comprehensive middle school unit focused on the hierarchical organization of organisms, populations, and communities within ecosystems, aligned with the 2021 TEKS 6.12C standard. This low-prep, editable lesson includes presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments designed for differentiated, student-led learning.
Following the 5E Model, the lesson begins with engaging objectives, vocabulary cards in English and Spanish, and class discussion activities. Exploration features a student-led station lab with nine multimodal stations, including reading passages, videos, research tasks, and creative activities like drawing and categorizing. Explanation resources include editable PowerPoints, interactive notebook templates, and note-taking guides. Students deepen their understanding through elaboration projects that focus on ecosystem hierarchies.
Assessment materials are STAAR 2.0-aligned and available in standard and modified formats for flexible evaluation. The lesson is adaptable for both in-class and virtual learning environments, offering Spanish translations and differentiated materials to support all learners.
The Kesler Science Ecosystems 5E Lesson is a comprehensive middle school unit focused on the hierarchical organization of organisms, populations, and communities within ecosystems, aligned with the 2021 TEKS 6.12C standard. This low-prep, editable lesson includes presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments designed for differentiated, student-led learning.
Following the 5E Model, the lesson begins with engaging objectives, vocabulary cards in English and Spanish, and class discussion activities. Exploration features a student-led station lab with nine multimodal stations, including reading passages, videos, research tasks, and creative activities like drawing and categorizing. Explanation resources include editable PowerPoints, interactive notebook templates, and note-taking guides. Students deepen their understanding through elaboration projects that focus on ecosystem hierarchies.
Assessment materials are STAAR 2.0-aligned and available in standard and modified formats for flexible evaluation. The lesson is adaptable for both in-class and virtual learning environments, offering Spanish translations and differentiated materials to support all learners.
Engage your middle school class with this student-led station lab aligned with the 2021 TEKS standard 6.12C. Designed for in-class or virtual learning, this life science lesson guides students in describing the hierarchical organization of organisms, populations, and communities within an ecosystem.
This differentiated, student-centered activity features nine stations that encourage independent or small-group learning. Each station includes all necessary signage, literature, resources, and task cards, with minimal materials needed for hands-on activities.
The stations are divided into input and output activities. Input stations introduce concepts through various formats: Explore It! offers hands-on activities, Watch It! presents videos with questions, Read It! provides passages with comprehension questions (available in English and Spanish), and Research It! engages students with facts, images, and graphs. Output stations allow students to demonstrate their understanding through Organize It! (manipulatives), Illustrate It! (drawing models), Write It! (short answer prompts), and Assess It! (task cards and vocabulary-based writing). A bonus Challenge It! station offers extension activities like crosswords, games, and mini-projects for early finishers.
This versatile resource supports active learning and can be used seamlessly in both classroom and virtual settings.
Engage your middle school class with this student-led station lab aligned with the 2021 TEKS standard 6.12C. Designed for in-class or virtual learning, this life science lesson guides students in describing the hierarchical organization of organisms, populations, and communities within an ecosystem.
This differentiated, student-centered activity features nine stations that encourage independent or small-group learning. Each station includes all necessary signage, literature, resources, and task cards, with minimal materials needed for hands-on activities.
The stations are divided into input and output activities. Input stations introduce concepts through various formats: Explore It! offers hands-on activities, Watch It! presents videos with questions, Read It! provides passages with comprehension questions (available in English and Spanish), and Research It! engages students with facts, images, and graphs. Output stations allow students to demonstrate their understanding through Organize It! (manipulatives), Illustrate It! (drawing models), Write It! (short answer prompts), and Assess It! (task cards and vocabulary-based writing). A bonus Challenge It! station offers extension activities like crosswords, games, and mini-projects for early finishers.
This versatile resource supports active learning and can be used seamlessly in both classroom and virtual settings.
The Hierarchy of Ecosystems Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 6.12C, offering middle school students a variety of creative ways to demonstrate their understanding. A project page outlines six student-led options and a “design your own” project, with an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also part of the Hierarchy of Ecosystems Complete Lesson for TEKS 6.12C.
These flexible, multimodal projects support differentiation with two versions of the project page: a modified version for students needing remediation and options to challenge advanced learners. Teachers can adjust the rubric to suit their grading preferences.
The resource includes nine project options, a teacher directions page for guidance, and editable rubrics that assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. Projects use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion.
The Hierarchy of Ecosystems Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 6.12C, offering middle school students a variety of creative ways to demonstrate their understanding. A project page outlines six student-led options and a “design your own” project, with an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also part of the Hierarchy of Ecosystems Complete Lesson for TEKS 6.12C.
These flexible, multimodal projects support differentiation with two versions of the project page: a modified version for students needing remediation and options to challenge advanced learners. Teachers can adjust the rubric to suit their grading preferences.
The resource includes nine project options, a teacher directions page for guidance, and editable rubrics that assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. Projects use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion.
The Freshwater Aquarium Inquiry Lab aligns with TEKS, guiding students to explore the levels of organization within an ecosystem, including organism, population, community, and ecosystem. In this hands-on activity, students design a freshwater aquarium by selecting an organism, determining population size, choosing compatible community members, and incorporating abiotic factors. They will test their ecosystem’s success and compare outcomes with other groups.
This resource includes three differentiated labs to support all learners: a dependent lab with guided instructions for on-level learners, a modified version with structured support for those requiring accommodations, and an independent lab designed for advanced learners to take greater responsibility.
Editable pages, teacher resource guides, answer keys, and CER-based reflection questions help streamline planning and assessment. Using basic classroom materials like colored pencils and paper, students engage in an interactive and educational experience while designing their aquarium ecosystems.
The Freshwater Aquarium Inquiry Lab aligns with TEKS, guiding students to explore the levels of organization within an ecosystem, including organism, population, community, and ecosystem. In this hands-on activity, students design a freshwater aquarium by selecting an organism, determining population size, choosing compatible community members, and incorporating abiotic factors. They will test their ecosystem’s success and compare outcomes with other groups.
This resource includes three differentiated labs to support all learners: a dependent lab with guided instructions for on-level learners, a modified version with structured support for those requiring accommodations, and an independent lab designed for advanced learners to take greater responsibility.
Editable pages, teacher resource guides, answer keys, and CER-based reflection questions help streamline planning and assessment. Using basic classroom materials like colored pencils and paper, students engage in an interactive and educational experience while designing their aquarium ecosystems.
This Ecosystem Organizational Levels Science Reading Comprehension Lesson guides students through the levels of organization within an ecosystem, including organism, population, community, and ecosystem. Through a nonfiction article, students learn how these levels are interconnected and apply their understanding by explaining how a chosen organism fits into each category. The lesson also includes comprehension questions and a hands-on mini-project to reinforce learning.
Designed for grades 6–8, with adaptations suitable for advanced 5th graders, the resource features two leveled articles (Lexile 1100–1300), 5–7 comprehension questions, and a Cornell notes template to support student engagement and organization. Printable graphics enhance the visual appeal, whether used in color or grayscale.
This versatile resource works well for both in-person and virtual learning environments, with compatibility across platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas. Ideal for sub plans, extra credit, ISS, or whole-class instruction, the lesson promotes science literacy, critical thinking, and classroom discussion while helping students build strong reading comprehension skills.
This Ecosystem Organizational Levels Science Reading Comprehension Lesson guides students through the levels of organization within an ecosystem, including organism, population, community, and ecosystem. Through a nonfiction article, students learn how these levels are interconnected and apply their understanding by explaining how a chosen organism fits into each category. The lesson also includes comprehension questions and a hands-on mini-project to reinforce learning.
Designed for grades 6–8, with adaptations suitable for advanced 5th graders, the resource features two leveled articles (Lexile 1100–1300), 5–7 comprehension questions, and a Cornell notes template to support student engagement and organization. Printable graphics enhance the visual appeal, whether used in color or grayscale.
This versatile resource works well for both in-person and virtual learning environments, with compatibility across platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas. Ideal for sub plans, extra credit, ISS, or whole-class instruction, the lesson promotes science literacy, critical thinking, and classroom discussion while helping students build strong reading comprehension skills.
The Organization in an Ecosystem Science Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in life science by using a news article format to inspire creative, standards-aligned writing. This activity helps students diagram levels of organization within an ecosystem, including organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. It encourages science reasoning and exploration while supporting both in-person and virtual learning.
This low-prep, student-centered resource includes teacher directions with an answer guide, project ideas, and rubrics. It also offers projection versions for virtual sharing, full and half-sheet handouts for flexible use, and a digital PowerPoint version compatible with Google Slides for remote learning.
Ideal for cross-curricular activities, pre-test assessments, student choice projects, early finisher elaboration, extra credit, make-up work, TELPAS samples, or differentiation exercises, this writing prompt fosters engagement and creativity. It can also be displayed on bulletin boards or compiled into a student anthology. Designed for review, the activity assumes prior knowledge of the topic or access to research materials.
The Organization in an Ecosystem Science Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in life science by using a news article format to inspire creative, standards-aligned writing. This activity helps students diagram levels of organization within an ecosystem, including organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. It encourages science reasoning and exploration while supporting both in-person and virtual learning.
This low-prep, student-centered resource includes teacher directions with an answer guide, project ideas, and rubrics. It also offers projection versions for virtual sharing, full and half-sheet handouts for flexible use, and a digital PowerPoint version compatible with Google Slides for remote learning.
Ideal for cross-curricular activities, pre-test assessments, student choice projects, early finisher elaboration, extra credit, make-up work, TELPAS samples, or differentiation exercises, this writing prompt fosters engagement and creativity. It can also be displayed on bulletin boards or compiled into a student anthology. Designed for review, the activity assumes prior knowledge of the topic or access to research materials.
The WIKI Tickets© formative assessments provide an engaging and flexible way to assess student understanding of 6th-8th grade science concepts. This Ecosystems Set features 20 assessments, each available in five formats: a full-screen projection version, three printable handout options (full, split, and quarter-page sizes), and an interactive digital version compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides. These assessments align with NGSS and TEKS standards, ensuring comprehensive coverage of essential middle school science topics. A table of contents file is also included to show standard alignment.
Designed for both in-person and virtual learning environments, these assessments cover a wide range of ecosystem topics. Students will explore biodiversity, biotic and abiotic factors, taxonomy, competition for resources, ecological succession, energy flow, human impacts, natural selection, photosynthesis, and environmental changes. WIKI stands for “What I Know Is,” highlighting their role as quick, effective tools for checking student understanding. These colorful assessments can be used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick comprehension checks and can be easily adapted for projection, print, or digital formats, making them a versatile addition to any classroom.
The WIKI Tickets© formative assessments provide an engaging and flexible way to assess student understanding of 6th-8th grade science concepts. This Ecosystems Set features 20 assessments, each available in five formats: a full-screen projection version, three printable handout options (full, split, and quarter-page sizes), and an interactive digital version compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides. These assessments align with NGSS and TEKS standards, ensuring comprehensive coverage of essential middle school science topics. A table of contents file is also included to show standard alignment.
Designed for both in-person and virtual learning environments, these assessments cover a wide range of ecosystem topics. Students will explore biodiversity, biotic and abiotic factors, taxonomy, competition for resources, ecological succession, energy flow, human impacts, natural selection, photosynthesis, and environmental changes. WIKI stands for “What I Know Is,” highlighting their role as quick, effective tools for checking student understanding. These colorful assessments can be used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick comprehension checks and can be easily adapted for projection, print, or digital formats, making them a versatile addition to any classroom.
Lesson Extensions provide engaging, student-choice activities designed to challenge early finishers and deepen understanding of ecosystem concepts aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards. These activities help fill downtime, enhance critical thinking, and keep students engaged with rigorous yet enjoyable learning opportunities.
Each extension includes four interactive components: Puzzler for problem-solving, Maker Space for hands-on STEAM activities, Tech Connection for digital demonstrations, and Word Master for creative writing. Resources come with teacher directions, answer keys, and both print and projection versions, making them ideal for independent learning, lesson wrap-ups, or enrichment.
Topics covered include biodiversity, biomes, biotic and abiotic factors, ecological succession, ecosystem interactions, environmental changes, food webs, genetic changes, human impact, natural hazards, photosynthesis, and survival strategies. These extensions offer high-level, independent challenges that encourage students to dive deeper into ecosystem concepts.
Lesson Extensions provide engaging, student-choice activities designed to challenge early finishers and deepen understanding of ecosystem concepts aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards. These activities help fill downtime, enhance critical thinking, and keep students engaged with rigorous yet enjoyable learning opportunities.
Each extension includes four interactive components: Puzzler for problem-solving, Maker Space for hands-on STEAM activities, Tech Connection for digital demonstrations, and Word Master for creative writing. Resources come with teacher directions, answer keys, and both print and projection versions, making them ideal for independent learning, lesson wrap-ups, or enrichment.
Topics covered include biodiversity, biomes, biotic and abiotic factors, ecological succession, ecosystem interactions, environmental changes, food webs, genetic changes, human impact, natural hazards, photosynthesis, and survival strategies. These extensions offer high-level, independent challenges that encourage students to dive deeper into ecosystem concepts.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces ecosystems through a real-world investigation of a patch of ground. It begins with an introductory reading paired with comprehension and extension questions to prepare students for deeper learning. A follow-up explanatory reading breaks down the science behind ecosystem life, supported by additional questions for reinforcement.
Aligned with TEKS, this no-prep resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides for display, editable PowerPoint versions for digital use, and printable handouts for interactive notebooks. A differentiated version offers sentence starters and simplified language for student support. Designed to supplement any lesson, these engaging readings help frame and reinforce key concepts in both in-person and virtual classrooms.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces ecosystems through a real-world investigation of a patch of ground. It begins with an introductory reading paired with comprehension and extension questions to prepare students for deeper learning. A follow-up explanatory reading breaks down the science behind ecosystem life, supported by additional questions for reinforcement.
Aligned with TEKS, this no-prep resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides for display, editable PowerPoint versions for digital use, and printable handouts for interactive notebooks. A differentiated version offers sentence starters and simplified language for student support. Designed to supplement any lesson, these engaging readings help frame and reinforce key concepts in both in-person and virtual classrooms.
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 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.
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What levels are part of the hierarchical organization within ecosystems?
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TEKS Science - 6.12C Hierarchy of Ecosystems
Kesler Science Membership
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