Succession & Species Diversity Activities for Middle School Science

The Succession & Species Diversity Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS 8.12B standard, allowing middle school students to select a project that suits their learning 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 Succession & Species Diversity Complete Lesson for TEKS 8.12B.

These engaging, multimodal projects provide students with creative ways to demonstrate their understanding, while teachers can adjust the rubric to meet their grading preferences. The flexible structure allows students to express their knowledge in the way that works best for them.

Projects use standard classroom materials like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options for digital project completion. Also available in the Ecosystems Bundle (16 topics for grades 6-8) and the MEGA Student Choice Project Bundle (84 topics) for grades 6-8.

In the Succession Inquiry Lab, students will explore ecological succession through interactive websites, videos, and inquiry-based questions. They will investigate the differences between primary and secondary succession, analyze how succession occurs over time, and identify the order in which organisms inhabit an area.

This resource includes three differentiated labs designed to meet diverse learning needs. The Dependent Lab incorporates guided inquiry, the Modified Lab offers additional scaffolding with sentence stems and structured questions, and the Independent Lab allows students to take full control of their learning. Each lab comes with editable teacher resources, answer keys, and CER conclusion questions to reinforce key scientific concepts.

Students will need a computer, a lab sheet, and colored pencils to complete activities. This lesson aligns with TEKS, focusing on observing, recording, and describing ecological succession in various habitats.

Bundle and save! This lab is also part of the Complete Inquiry Labs Bundle, offering hands-on, student-driven science experiences across multiple topics.

In this engaging lesson, students explore ecological succession by reading a nonfiction article about how ecosystems recover after a disturbance. They answer comprehension questions and research a real-world example of ecological succession, documenting the process. 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 hands-on research 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 seamless integration.

Perfect for absent students, sub plans, extra credit, or whole-class instruction, this versatile resource reinforces 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 Ecological Succession Science Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in life science exploration through a storyboard project. This creative exercise helps students observe, record, and describe ecological succession while reinforcing science literacy and critical thinking.

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

Perfect for cross-curricular learning, student choice projects, early finishers, extra credit, and differentiation, this activity offers a fun and engaging way to deepen understanding. With 145 topics available, students can display their work or compile them into a science writing portfolio.

These 6th-8th grade formative assessments offer fun, flexible ways to evaluate 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. Designed for engaging, adaptable learning, these assessments fit any classroom setup.

Aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, WIKI Tickets© cover essential topics like biodiversity, food webs, ecological succession, natural selection, and energy flow. A table of contents ensures easy standard alignment, making it simple to track progress across ecosystem concepts.

WIKI Tickets© (“What I Know Is”) serve 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 monitoring student progress easy and effective.

Lesson Extensions provide engaging, student-driven activities that challenge fast finishers while reinforcing key science concepts. Designed to keep students engaged and thinking critically, these activities help fill downtime during testing, prevent distractions, and provide meaningful learning opportunities. Each extension supports deeper exploration of ecosystems, aligning with NGSS and TEKS standards.

This resource features four interactive activities: Puzzler strengthens problem-solving skills, Maker Space promotes hands-on STEAM learning, Tech Connection encourages digital media projects, and Word Master fosters creative writing in science. These varied formats allow students to approach concepts in ways that best fit their learning styles.

Included in this resource are teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides for class display, and both full- and half-sheet printable versions for flexible classroom use. Covering topics such as biodiversity, food webs, ecological succession, and human impact, these high-level extensions encourage independent learning while deepening students' understanding of ecosystems.

This Amazing Anchors lesson offers an engaging, no-prep approach to teaching ecological succession. The two-part resource begins with a real-world scenario about a wildfire in California, guiding students through comprehension and extension questions to establish background knowledge. The second reading simplifies the science behind ecological succession, reinforcing key ideas with follow-up questions to deepen understanding.

This resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides, a digital version for LMS platforms, and printable handouts. Aligned with TEKS standards, it connects ecological concepts to real-world events, making learning more relevant and impactful.

Designed for both in-person and virtual learning, this lesson is print- and digital-friendly. A modified version with sentence starters and simplified language supports differentiation, ensuring accessibility for all students. Whether used as an introduction or a review, this interactive, standards-aligned lesson promotes critical thinking and science literacy.