Human Activities & Climate Resources for Middle School Science

Exploring the impact of human activities on climate can be challenging for middle school students, but these engaging materials make it accessible! This comprehensive resource helps students analyze scientific evidence on how greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and urbanization influence climate patterns. With interactive lessons, hands-on activities, and assessments, students will develop a strong foundation in climate science, environmental change, and the role humans play in shaping Earth's atmosphere. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of human activities and climate. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Kesler Science Human Impact on Climate Unit is an engaging middle school lesson on how greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and urbanization influence climate. It includes editable PowerPoints, worksheets, assessments, and student-choice projects, all designed for differentiated, student-led learning with minimal prep.

Following the 5E Model, the unit provides engagement activities, a hands-on exploration station lab, editable PowerPoints, and interactive notebooks in English and Spanish. Students apply their learning through choice projects and STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments, with flexible digital and printable formats to fit any classroom. Multimodal learning strategies and Spanish translations support all learners.

Aligned with the 2021 TEKS 8.11B standard, this lesson is ideal for in-class or virtual learning. Bundle options offer savings on multiple topics or the complete curriculum, making it a comprehensive resource for teaching the impact of human activities on climate in middle school science.

Engage your middle school students with this student-led station lab aligned with the 2021 TEKS 8.11B. Designed for in-class or virtual learning, this lab helps students examine scientific evidence on how human activities—such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and urbanization—affect climate through nine interactive stations featuring videos, readings, research, and hands-on tasks.

Students showcase their understanding by organizing information, illustrating models, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station provides extension activities, and English and Spanish reading passages ensure differentiated instruction.

This low-prep, high-engagement resource promotes active learning and critical thinking. Also available in the Weather Science Station Lab Bundle, which includes five labs.

The Human Activities & Climate Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS 8.11B standard, allowing middle school students to select a project that best matches their learning style. A project page details 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 Human Activities & Climate Complete Lesson for TEKS 8.11B.

These interactive, student-driven projects promote creativity and critical thinking, while giving teachers the flexibility to adjust the rubric for different grading needs. The multimodal approach ensures students can express their understanding in diverse ways.

Projects require common classroom materials like paper, markers, and scissors, with plenty of options for digital completion. Also available in the Weather Bundle (five topics for grades 6-8) and the MEGA Student Choice Project Bundle (84 topics) for grades 6-8.

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 does the release of greenhouse gases, deforestation, and urbanization influence the climate?

Standards

TEKS Science - 8.11B Human Activities & Climate