Urinary System Functions Activities for Middle School Science
The Kesler Science Urinary System 5E Lesson guides middle school students in exploring how the urinary system interacts with other body systems to maintain homeostasis. Aligned with TEKS 7.13A, this student-led lesson includes hands-on station labs, experiments, reading passages in English and Spanish, research tasks, and multimedia activities. Students engage with vocabulary and discussions, demonstrate understanding through sorting activities, written responses, and illustrations, and extend learning with choice projects. Editable presentations, interactive notebooks, and STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments support comprehension, with digital and printable formats ensuring accessibility for all learners. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of the urinary system. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
The Kesler Science Urinary System 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, student-led unit exploring how the urinary system works with the circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and integumentary systems to maintain homeostasis. This fully editable, low-prep resource includes presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments designed for middle school students. The lesson supports differentiated instruction, offering multimodal learning opportunities to engage all learners while aligning with the 2021 TEKS 7.13A standard.
Following the 5E Model, students begin with engagement activities, such as vocabulary word wall cards and guided class discussions. The exploration phase features a hands-on, student-led station lab with nine stations that provide various ways to interact with the content, including hands-on experiments, reading passages in English and Spanish, research tasks, and multimedia learning. Students then demonstrate their understanding through sorting activities, written responses, illustrations, and assessments. A bonus challenge station is included for enrichment.
Explanation resources include editable PowerPoints, interactive notebook templates, and structured note-taking guides. Elaboration activities allow students to extend their learning through student-choice projects, while the evaluation phase provides STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments, review questions, and worksheets for reinforcement. With printable and digital formats, as well as Spanish translations of key materials, this lesson is designed for both in-class and virtual learning, ensuring accessibility and engagement for all students.
The Kesler Science Urinary System 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, student-led unit exploring how the urinary system works with the circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and integumentary systems to maintain homeostasis. This fully editable, low-prep resource includes presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments designed for middle school students. The lesson supports differentiated instruction, offering multimodal learning opportunities to engage all learners while aligning with the 2021 TEKS 7.13A standard.
Following the 5E Model, students begin with engagement activities, such as vocabulary word wall cards and guided class discussions. The exploration phase features a hands-on, student-led station lab with nine stations that provide various ways to interact with the content, including hands-on experiments, reading passages in English and Spanish, research tasks, and multimedia learning. Students then demonstrate their understanding through sorting activities, written responses, illustrations, and assessments. A bonus challenge station is included for enrichment.
Explanation resources include editable PowerPoints, interactive notebook templates, and structured note-taking guides. Elaboration activities allow students to extend their learning through student-choice projects, while the evaluation phase provides STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments, review questions, and worksheets for reinforcement. With printable and digital formats, as well as Spanish translations of key materials, this lesson is designed for both in-class and virtual learning, ensuring accessibility and engagement for all students.
Engage your middle school students with this student-led station lab aligned to TEKS 2021 standard 7.13A. This interactive life science lesson allows students to explore the functions of the urinary system through nine differentiated, multimodal stations designed for in-class or virtual learning.
Students will engage with new concepts through activities like hands-on demonstrations, video analysis, reading comprehension with English and Spanish passages, and research tasks. They will demonstrate their understanding by organizing information, illustrating models, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities for advanced learners.
With comprehensive materials and a student-centered approach, this low-prep, high-engagement resource fosters active learning and critical thinking.
Engage your middle school students with this student-led station lab aligned to TEKS 2021 standard 7.13A. This interactive life science lesson allows students to explore the functions of the urinary system through nine differentiated, multimodal stations designed for in-class or virtual learning.
Students will engage with new concepts through activities like hands-on demonstrations, video analysis, reading comprehension with English and Spanish passages, and research tasks. They will demonstrate their understanding by organizing information, illustrating models, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities for advanced learners.
With comprehensive materials and a student-centered approach, this low-prep, high-engagement resource fosters active learning and critical thinking.
The Urinary 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, with an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also included in the Urinary System Functions Complete Lesson for TEKS 7.13A.
These flexible, multimodal projects provide students with creative ways to demonstrate their understanding. Two versions of the project page support differentiation, offering modified options for students needing remediation and opportunities for advanced learners to complete multiple projects using the same rubric. Teachers can adjust the rubric to fit their grading needs.
The projects use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion.
The Urinary 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, with an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also included in the Urinary System Functions Complete Lesson for TEKS 7.13A.
These flexible, multimodal projects provide students with creative ways to demonstrate their understanding. Two versions of the project page support differentiation, offering modified options for students needing remediation and opportunities for advanced learners to complete multiple projects using the same rubric. Teachers can adjust the rubric to fit their grading needs.
The projects use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion.
The Excretory System Inquiry Lab aligns with TEKS, allowing students to explore the role of the kidneys in the excretory system. By building a model to simulate kidney function at different levels, students will compare healthy and unhealthy kidney performance and analyze how this process contributes to the body's overall waste filtration system. Through hands-on investigation, students gain a deeper understanding of how kidneys maintain homeostasis and remove waste from the bloodstream.
This resource includes three differentiated labs designed to support all learners. The Dependent Student Lab provides a guided experience with procedural instructions and inquiry questions, making it ideal for on-level learners. The Modified Student Lab offers a more structured approach with sentence stems and multiple-choice questions for students who need additional support. The Independent Student Lab is the most student-centered, encouraging students to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their investigation. Reflection questions are included to help students construct Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) statements.
Teacher resource pages include prep time, standards, objectives, detailed instructions, and materials lists, while answer keys provide support for assessment. All pages are editable, allowing teachers to customize the content as needed. Using materials such as beakers, funnels, cotton balls, and food coloring, students engage in an interactive lab experience that enhances their understanding of kidney function in an engaging and meaningful way.
The Excretory System Inquiry Lab aligns with TEKS, allowing students to explore the role of the kidneys in the excretory system. By building a model to simulate kidney function at different levels, students will compare healthy and unhealthy kidney performance and analyze how this process contributes to the body's overall waste filtration system. Through hands-on investigation, students gain a deeper understanding of how kidneys maintain homeostasis and remove waste from the bloodstream.
This resource includes three differentiated labs designed to support all learners. The Dependent Student Lab provides a guided experience with procedural instructions and inquiry questions, making it ideal for on-level learners. The Modified Student Lab offers a more structured approach with sentence stems and multiple-choice questions for students who need additional support. The Independent Student Lab is the most student-centered, encouraging students to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their investigation. Reflection questions are included to help students construct Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) statements.
Teacher resource pages include prep time, standards, objectives, detailed instructions, and materials lists, while answer keys provide support for assessment. All pages are editable, allowing teachers to customize the content as needed. Using materials such as beakers, funnels, cotton balls, and food coloring, students engage in an interactive lab experience that enhances their understanding of kidney function in an engaging and meaningful way.
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.
The Excretory System Science Reading Comprehension Lesson helps students explore the main structures and functions of the human body's excretory system through a nonfiction article, comprehension questions, and a hands-on mini-project where they create a filter model. Designed for middle school students in grades 6-8, with higher-level 5th graders in mind, the leveled passage supports science literacy and reading comprehension.
The resource includes two Lexile-leveled articles (1100-1300), five to seven comprehension questions, a Cornell notes template, and engaging, printable graphics. The interactive mini-project enhances understanding through hands-on learning.
Ideal for sub plans, extra credit, ISS, or whole-class instruction, this resource fosters critical thinking, discussion, and textual analysis. It is compatible with Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas, allowing students to respond digitally via PowerPoint or Google Slides.
The Excretory System Science Reading Comprehension Lesson helps students explore the main structures and functions of the human body's excretory system through a nonfiction article, comprehension questions, and a hands-on mini-project where they create a filter model. Designed for middle school students in grades 6-8, with higher-level 5th graders in mind, the leveled passage supports science literacy and reading comprehension.
The resource includes two Lexile-leveled articles (1100-1300), five to seven comprehension questions, a Cornell notes template, and engaging, printable graphics. The interactive mini-project enhances understanding through hands-on learning.
Ideal for sub plans, extra credit, ISS, or whole-class instruction, this resource fosters critical thinking, discussion, and textual analysis. It is compatible with Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas, allowing students to respond digitally via PowerPoint or Google Slides.
The Excretory 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 urinary system or access to research materials.
The Excretory 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 urinary 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 engages students in learning about the excretory system through the real-world example of kidney stones. It includes an introductory reading with comprehension and extension questions to prepare students for deeper learning, followed by an explanatory reading that breaks down the science behind the excretory system and kidney stones 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 supports students with differentiated language and sentence starters. Designed to complement any lesson, these readings serve as engaging supplements for in-person or virtual classrooms.
This Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson engages students in learning about the excretory system through the real-world example of kidney stones. It includes an introductory reading with comprehension and extension questions to prepare students for deeper learning, followed by an explanatory reading that breaks down the science behind the excretory system and kidney stones 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 supports students with differentiated language and sentence starters. Designed to complement any lesson, these readings serve as engaging supplements for in-person or 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 is the main function of the urinary 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 Urinary System Functions
Kesler Science Membership
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