Disruptions in Ecosystems Activities for Middle School Science

Engage your middle school students with this student-led station lab aligned with the 2021 TEKS 8.12A. Designed for in-class or virtual learning, this lab helps students explore how population changes, natural disasters, and human activities disrupt ecosystems and impact energy flow in food webs through nine interactive stations featuring videos, readings, research, and hands-on tasks.

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

This low-prep, high-engagement resource encourages active learning and critical thinking. Also available in the Ecosystems Station Lab Bundle, which includes 16 labs.

The Disruptions in Ecosystems Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 8.12A, offering middle school students a range of creative ways to demonstrate their understanding. A project page outlines six student-led options and a “design your own” project, supported by an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also part of the Disruptions in Ecosystems Complete Lesson for TEKS 8.12A.

These flexible projects allow teachers to adjust the rubric to meet grading needs and offer multimodal options that cater to different learning styles. Two versions of the project page support differentiation, with targeted options for students needing remediation and more advanced challenges for those ready to extend their learning.

The projects use common classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion.

Students will examine real-world data from the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) to assess the environmental impact of Hurricane Harvey. By analyzing both short- and long-term changes, they will explore how natural disasters affect ecosystems and predict population responses over time.

This resource includes three differentiated labs tailored to different learning levels. The Dependent Lab provides structured guidance with inquiry-based questioning, the Modified Lab offers additional support through sentence stems and multiple-choice options, and the Independent Lab encourages students to take ownership of their learning. Each lab includes editable teacher resources, answer keys, and CER conclusion questions to reinforce scientific analysis.

Students will need a computer or tablet for data analysis and colored pencils for mapping trends. The lesson aligns with TEKS, focusing on how environmental changes influence organisms and population traits.

Save time and bundle! This lab is also part of the Complete Inquiry Labs Bundle, providing hands-on learning experiences across multiple science topics.

In this engaging lesson, students explore the impact of environmental changes on organisms by reading a nonfiction article about how short- and long-term changes influence traits and population survival. They answer comprehension questions and create a slideshow presentation on a real-world example of population adaptation. Designed for grades 6-8 (and advanced 5th graders), the resource includes two Lexile-leveled passages (1100-1300) to support science literacy and differentiation.

The lesson features 5-7 comprehension questions, a research-based slideshow project, and a Cornell notes template. Colorful, printable graphics enhance engagement, and the resource is compatible with Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas, making it ideal for in-class or virtual learning. Students can respond and edit directly within the digital document for easy integration.

Perfect for absent students, sub plans, extra credit, or whole-class instruction, this versatile resource strengthens science literacy, discussion, and critical thinking. The Science Reading Comprehension Passages Vol. 1 bundle offers 40 additional passages, expanding opportunities for textual analysis and comprehension practice.

The Ecosystem Impacts Science Writing Prompt Activity challenges middle school students to explore life science concepts through a call-to-action letter. This engaging activity enhances scientific reasoning and writing skills while examining how short- and long-term environmental changes affect populations.

Aligned with TEKS and NGSS, this low-prep resource includes teacher directions, project ideas, rubrics, projection-ready prompts, full-sized handouts, and a digital version for Google Slides or PowerPoint.

Ideal for cross-curricular learning, formative assessments, student choice projects, early finishers, extra credit, and differentiation, this activity reinforces science literacy and critical thinking. With 145 topics available, students can showcase their work or compile them into an interactive science writing collection.

These 6th-8th grade formative assessments provide engaging, flexible ways to check student understanding. The Ecosystems Set includes 20 WIKI Tickets© assessments in five formats: projection, three printable handouts, and a digital version for Google Slides or PowerPoint. These interactive, adaptable assessments fit any classroom environment.

Aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, WIKI Tickets© cover key topics like biodiversity, food webs, ecological succession, photosynthesis, and natural selection. A table of contents ensures easy standard alignment and complete coverage of ecosystem concepts.

WIKI Tickets© (“What I Know Is”) can be used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick progress checks. Teachers can project, print, or assign digitally for in-person or virtual learning. These ready-to-use assessments make tracking student progress simple and effective.

Lesson Extensions offer engaging, student-driven activities that challenge fast finishers with critical thinking and creativity. They are an excellent way to wrap up lessons, provide meaningful engagement during testing downtime, and prevent distractions by keeping students focused on rigorous yet enjoyable learning opportunities. Designed for deeper exploration, these activities align with NGSS and TEKS standards related to ecosystems.

Each extension includes four dynamic activities: Puzzler enhances problem-solving through interactive challenges, Maker Space fosters STEAM connections with hands-on projects, Tech Connection allows students to showcase learning through digital media, and Word Master integrates creative writing into science. These flexible formats provide multiple ways for students to engage with key ecological concepts.

This resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides for digital display, and both full- and half-sheet printable versions for versatile classroom use. Covering topics such as biodiversity, food webs, ecological succession, and human impact, these high-level extensions encourage independent learning while reinforcing science literacy and exploration.

This Amazing Anchors lesson provides a no-prep, real-world approach to understanding invasive species and their impact on ecosystems. The two-part resource begins with an engaging reading centered on a fishing trip, followed by comprehension and extension questions that help students build background knowledge. The second reading explains the science behind invasive species in an accessible way, reinforcing key concepts with follow-up questions.

This lesson includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides, a digital version for LMS platforms, and printable handouts. Aligned with TEKS and NGSS, it helps students connect ecological principles to real-world environmental challenges, making science more relevant and engaging.

Designed for both in-class and virtual learning, this resource is print- and digital-friendly. A modified version with sentence starters and simplified language supports differentiation, ensuring accessibility for all learners. Whether used to introduce or review key ideas, this interactive, standards-aligned lesson fosters science literacy and critical thinking.