Muscular System Functions Activities for Middle School Science
The Kesler Science Muscular System 5E Lesson provides an in-depth, student-led exploration of the muscular system’s role in protecting the body and maintaining health. Using the 5E Model, students investigate its function and structure through engaging activities, including a nine-station lab with reading, research, videos, and experiments. Editable presentations, interactive notebooks, and note-taking guides support instruction, while choice projects and STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments help evaluate understanding. With Spanish translations for key materials, this lesson is designed for flexible, multimodal learning in both in-class and virtual settings. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of the muscular system. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
The Kesler Science Muscular System 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, student-led unit covering the role of the muscular system in protecting the body and maintaining health. It includes editable presentations, worksheets, assessments, and choice projects, all designed for differentiated, multimodal learning. The lesson aligns with the 2021 TEKS 7.13A standard and offers Spanish translations for key materials.
Students engage with essential questions about the muscular system's function and structure through the 5E Model. The hands-on, differentiated station lab features nine stations, allowing students to explore key concepts through reading, research, videos, and experiments. Output stations help students demonstrate understanding through categorization, writing, illustration, and assessment, with an optional challenge station for advanced learners.
Explanation materials include editable PowerPoints, interactive notebook templates, and note-taking guides. Students extend learning through choice projects, while assessments, including STAAR 2.0-aligned questions, provide evaluation options. The lesson is designed for maximum flexibility, supporting both in-class and virtual learning environments.
The Kesler Science Muscular System 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, student-led unit covering the role of the muscular system in protecting the body and maintaining health. It includes editable presentations, worksheets, assessments, and choice projects, all designed for differentiated, multimodal learning. The lesson aligns with the 2021 TEKS 7.13A standard and offers Spanish translations for key materials.
Students engage with essential questions about the muscular system's function and structure through the 5E Model. The hands-on, differentiated station lab features nine stations, allowing students to explore key concepts through reading, research, videos, and experiments. Output stations help students demonstrate understanding through categorization, writing, illustration, and assessment, with an optional challenge station for advanced learners.
Explanation materials include editable PowerPoints, interactive notebook templates, and note-taking guides. Students extend learning through choice projects, while assessments, including STAAR 2.0-aligned questions, provide evaluation options. The lesson is designed for maximum flexibility, supporting both in-class and virtual learning environments.
Engage your students with this modular, student-led station lab aligned with TEKS 2021 standard 7.13A. Designed for in-class or virtual learning, this activity helps students identify and model the main functions of the muscular system while promoting independent learning.
The lab includes nine differentiated stations, each offering a unique way to explore and demonstrate understanding. Input stations introduce new concepts through hands-on exploration, videos, reading passages in English and Spanish, and research tasks. Output stations allow students to organize information, illustrate models, write responses, and complete assessments using task cards. A bonus challenge station provides extension activities for advanced learners.
This low-prep, high-engagement resource fosters active learning and critical thinking in middle school life science.
Engage your students with this modular, student-led station lab aligned with TEKS 2021 standard 7.13A. Designed for in-class or virtual learning, this activity helps students identify and model the main functions of the muscular system while promoting independent learning.
The lab includes nine differentiated stations, each offering a unique way to explore and demonstrate understanding. Input stations introduce new concepts through hands-on exploration, videos, reading passages in English and Spanish, and research tasks. Output stations allow students to organize information, illustrate models, write responses, and complete assessments using task cards. A bonus challenge station provides extension activities for advanced learners.
This low-prep, high-engagement resource fosters active learning and critical thinking in middle school life science.
The Muscular System Functions Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 7.13A, allowing middle school students to select a project that matches their preferred output style. A project page outlines six student-led options plus a “design your own” project, all supported by an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also included in the Muscular System Functions Complete Lesson for TEKS 7.13A.
These flexible, multimodal projects give students creative ways to demonstrate their understanding. Two versions of the project page support differentiation, with modified options for students needing remediation and challenge options for advanced learners. Teachers can customize the rubric to fit grading needs.
The projects require standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, and many can be completed digitally.
The Muscular System Functions Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 7.13A, allowing middle school students to select a project that matches their preferred output style. A project page outlines six student-led options plus a “design your own” project, all supported by an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also included in the Muscular System Functions Complete Lesson for TEKS 7.13A.
These flexible, multimodal projects give students creative ways to demonstrate their understanding. Two versions of the project page support differentiation, with modified options for students needing remediation and challenge options for advanced learners. Teachers can customize the rubric to fit grading needs.
The projects require standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, and many can be completed digitally.
The Muscular System Inquiry Lab aligns with TEKS, allowing students to explore the function of the muscular system by dissecting and manipulating a chicken wing. Through this hands-on activity, students identify muscle types and observe the interaction between muscles and bones.
This resource includes three differentiated lab versions to accommodate diverse learning needs. The Dependent Student Lab provides guided procedural instructions and inquiry questions for on-level learners. The Modified Student Lab offers a structured experience with sentence stems and multiple-choice questions for students needing additional support. The Independent Student Lab encourages advanced learners to take control of their investigation with minimal guidance.
Teacher resource pages outline preparation, objectives, directions, materials, and additional resources. Editable CER reflection questions help students develop claim, evidence, and reasoning statements. Answer keys simplify assessment.
Materials required include a whole chicken wing, a dissection kit, a tray, and gloves. This lab provides an engaging, interactive way to study the muscular system.
The Muscular System Inquiry Lab aligns with TEKS, allowing students to explore the function of the muscular system by dissecting and manipulating a chicken wing. Through this hands-on activity, students identify muscle types and observe the interaction between muscles and bones.
This resource includes three differentiated lab versions to accommodate diverse learning needs. The Dependent Student Lab provides guided procedural instructions and inquiry questions for on-level learners. The Modified Student Lab offers a structured experience with sentence stems and multiple-choice questions for students needing additional support. The Independent Student Lab encourages advanced learners to take control of their investigation with minimal guidance.
Teacher resource pages outline preparation, objectives, directions, materials, and additional resources. Editable CER reflection questions help students develop claim, evidence, and reasoning statements. Answer keys simplify assessment.
Materials required include a whole chicken wing, a dissection kit, a tray, and gloves. This lab provides an engaging, interactive way to study the muscular system.
The Body Systems Escape Room is an interactive experience that allows students to demonstrate their understanding of the major body systems, including their structures and functions. Prior knowledge of these systems is necessary before participating.
This escape room gives teachers full control over the eight independent puzzles, allowing customization based on class time and student needs. It can be conducted using manila envelopes and passwords or a more authentic lock-and-box setup. A digital version is available for online learning via PowerPoint or Google Slides, with printable versions for home use.
The resource includes teacher directions, a detailed answer key, a digital answer sheet for Google Classrooms, editable templates, video challenges, and engaging props. Students will work through puzzles using various materials, such as a mirror, red cellophane, or an optional UV pen and flashlight. Reward templates, over 50 prize ideas, and fun photo signs enhance the experience, making this a memorable, standards-aligned learning activity.
The Body Systems Escape Room is an interactive experience that allows students to demonstrate their understanding of the major body systems, including their structures and functions. Prior knowledge of these systems is necessary before participating.
This escape room gives teachers full control over the eight independent puzzles, allowing customization based on class time and student needs. It can be conducted using manila envelopes and passwords or a more authentic lock-and-box setup. A digital version is available for online learning via PowerPoint or Google Slides, with printable versions for home use.
The resource includes teacher directions, a detailed answer key, a digital answer sheet for Google Classrooms, editable templates, video challenges, and engaging props. Students will work through puzzles using various materials, such as a mirror, red cellophane, or an optional UV pen and flashlight. Reward templates, over 50 prize ideas, and fun photo signs enhance the experience, making this a memorable, standards-aligned learning activity.
This Muscular System Science Reading Comprehension Lesson helps students explore the structures and functions of the muscular system through a nonfiction article, comprehension questions, and a hands-on investigation. Designed for grades 6-8 (and advanced 5th graders), the leveled passage supports science literacy and reading comprehension.
The resource includes two leveled articles (Lexile 1100-1300), five to seven comprehension questions, a mini-project, and a Cornell notes template. It features engaging, printable graphics and is compatible with virtual learning platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas.
Ideal for sub plans, extra credit, ISS, or whole-class instruction, this resource fosters critical thinking, classroom discussions, and textual analysis while reinforcing key concepts of the muscular system.
This Muscular System Science Reading Comprehension Lesson helps students explore the structures and functions of the muscular system through a nonfiction article, comprehension questions, and a hands-on investigation. Designed for grades 6-8 (and advanced 5th graders), the leveled passage supports science literacy and reading comprehension.
The resource includes two leveled articles (Lexile 1100-1300), five to seven comprehension questions, a mini-project, and a Cornell notes template. It features engaging, printable graphics and is compatible with virtual learning platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas.
Ideal for sub plans, extra credit, ISS, or whole-class instruction, this resource fosters critical thinking, classroom discussions, and textual analysis while reinforcing key concepts of the muscular system.
The Muscular System Science Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in a creative journal-based exercise to reinforce their understanding of life science. Aligned with TEKS, this activity helps students identify the main functions of the human body's systems while enhancing science reasoning and writing skills. Designed for both in-person and virtual learning, this low-prep, student-centered resource is ideal for elaboration, review, or independent projects.
This resource includes teacher directions with an answer guide, project ideas, and rubrics; projection and print handouts with self-checks and pre-writing strategies; and a digital PowerPoint version for Google Slides. The activity works well as a cross-curricular lesson, pre-test assessment, student choice project, extra credit, make-up work, or differentiation exercise. It can also serve as a TELPAS sample and makes a great addition to interactive notebooks or classroom displays. This prompt assumes students have prior knowledge of the muscular system or access to research materials.
The Muscular System Science Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in a creative journal-based exercise to reinforce their understanding of life science. Aligned with TEKS, this activity helps students identify the main functions of the human body's systems while enhancing science reasoning and writing skills. Designed for both in-person and virtual learning, this low-prep, student-centered resource is ideal for elaboration, review, or independent projects.
This resource includes teacher directions with an answer guide, project ideas, and rubrics; projection and print handouts with self-checks and pre-writing strategies; and a digital PowerPoint version for Google Slides. The activity works well as a cross-curricular lesson, pre-test assessment, student choice project, extra credit, make-up work, or differentiation exercise. It can also serve as a TELPAS sample and makes a great addition to interactive notebooks or classroom displays. This prompt assumes students have prior knowledge of the muscular system or access to research materials.
The Body Systems WIKI Tickets© provide engaging formative assessments for 6th-8th grade science, offering flexible ways to check student understanding. This set includes nine assessments covering the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, muscular, nervous (including senses), respiratory, and skeletal systems. Each topic is available in five formats: a full-screen display for projection, three printable handout versions, and an interactive digital option in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
Aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, these assessments can be used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick progress checks in both in-person and virtual learning settings. Students can respond on their own paper, use printed handouts, or complete the digital version in a 1:1 or remote learning environment. A bonus table of contents file is included to show standard alignment. WIKI Tickets© provide a versatile and engaging way to assess student learning throughout the year.
The Body Systems WIKI Tickets© provide engaging formative assessments for 6th-8th grade science, offering flexible ways to check student understanding. This set includes nine assessments covering the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, muscular, nervous (including senses), respiratory, and skeletal systems. Each topic is available in five formats: a full-screen display for projection, three printable handout versions, and an interactive digital option in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
Aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, these assessments can be used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick progress checks in both in-person and virtual learning settings. Students can respond on their own paper, use printed handouts, or complete the digital version in a 1:1 or remote learning environment. A bonus table of contents file is included to show standard alignment. WIKI Tickets© provide a versatile and engaging way to assess student learning throughout the year.
Lesson Extensions provide engaging, student-choice activities designed to challenge early finishers and deepen their understanding of body systems. These activities support critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving while aligning with NGSS and TEKS standards. They are perfect for wrapping up lessons, filling downtime, and keeping 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. With teacher directions, answer keys, and both print and projection versions, these extensions provide flexible, high-level resources for independent learning and enrichment.
Covering topics such as the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, integumentary, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and skeletal systems, as well as sensory information, these extensions ensure students explore middle school anatomy and physiology in a meaningful way.
Lesson Extensions provide engaging, student-choice activities designed to challenge early finishers and deepen their understanding of body systems. These activities support critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving while aligning with NGSS and TEKS standards. They are perfect for wrapping up lessons, filling downtime, and keeping 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. With teacher directions, answer keys, and both print and projection versions, these extensions provide flexible, high-level resources for independent learning and enrichment.
Covering topics such as the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, integumentary, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and skeletal systems, as well as sensory information, these extensions ensure students explore middle school anatomy and physiology in a meaningful way.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces the muscular system through the real-world connection of muscle pain. It includes an introductory reading on muscle pain with comprehension and extension questions to prepare students for further learning, followed by an explanatory reading that breaks down the science behind muscular pain in an accessible way, with additional reinforcement questions.
Aligned with TEKS, this no-prep resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides, and both print and digital formats for Google Classroom and other LMS platforms. A modified version with sentence starters provides support for students. Designed to bookend a lesson, these engaging readings serve as supplements to reinforce learning in any in-person or virtual classroom.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces the muscular system through the real-world connection of muscle pain. It includes an introductory reading on muscle pain with comprehension and extension questions to prepare students for further learning, followed by an explanatory reading that breaks down the science behind muscular pain in an accessible way, with additional reinforcement questions.
Aligned with TEKS, this no-prep resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides, and both print and digital formats for Google Classroom and other LMS platforms. A modified version with sentence starters provides support for students. Designed to bookend a lesson, these engaging readings serve as supplements to reinforce learning in any in-person or virtual classroom.
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 is the main function of the muscular system?
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How can we model the main functions of these tissues and organs?
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TEKS Science - 7.13A Muscular System Functions
Kesler Science Membership
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