Properties of Water Activities for Middle School Science

Understanding the properties of water is essential for middle school students, but it can be challenging to grasp! These engaging materials provide everything you need to help students explore water’s unique characteristics. With interactive lessons, hands-on activities, and assessments, students will develop a strong foundation in water’s physical and chemical properties and its importance in biological and environmental systems. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of the properties of water. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Properties of Water Complete Lesson aligns with the 2021 TEKS standards, providing an engaging, student-led exploration of cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension. Through differentiated, multimodal activities, students will discover how these properties influence water droplets, plant transport, and insect movement on water. This low-prep, editable resource includes presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments.

This lesson follows the 5E Model, guiding students through engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration, and evaluation. A nine-station lab offers hands-on, research-based, and visual learning experiences, while PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and student-choice projects ensure deeper understanding. Differentiated assessments, including STAAR 2.0-aligned questions, provide multiple ways to check mastery.

Designed for flexible learning, this resource works for in-class or virtual instruction. Spanish translations and printable or digital formats support diverse learners. Also available in the Chemistry MS Complete Lesson Bundle (15 topics) and the MS 2024 Mega Complete Curriculum Bundle (84 topics) for additional savings.

This Properties of Water Station Lab aligns with TEKS 2021 standard, engaging middle school students in exploring cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension through real-world examples. Designed for in-class or virtual learning, it minimizes prep time while promoting student-led discovery. It is also part of a 15-lab Chemistry Station Lab Bundle.

The lab includes nine modular stations with input activities (exploration, videos, readings, and research) and output tasks (organizing, illustrating, writing, and assessments). A bonus Challenge It! station offers extension activities for advanced learners. The digital version supports interactive learning with PowerPoint and Google Slides.

This ready-to-use resource includes all materials, signage, and task cards for independent or small-group learning. Updates will be provided for corrections, while future enhancements will be sold separately.

The Properties of Water Student Choice Projects allow students to select from six project options or design their own, providing a flexible way to demonstrate understanding. A customizable rubric supports teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also part of the Chemistry Complete Lesson Bundle for additional savings.

Designed for differentiation, the lesson includes a modified version with targeted support and options for advanced learners to complete multiple projects. The Chemistry Bundle covers 13 topics, while the MEGA Bundle offers 93 topics for Grades 6-8.

With minimal prep, students can complete projects using basic classroom supplies or digital tools. This resource offers a structured yet adaptable approach to student-led learning.

This Density and Capillary Action Lab engages students in hands-on investigations to explore why ice floats and how plants pull water from their roots. The resource includes three differentiated labs designed for all learners, with structured guidance for some and independent inquiry for advanced students.

Each lab includes teacher resource pages, answer keys, and editable CER conclusion and reflection questions. The Dependent Lab provides guided inquiry, the Modified Lab offers structured support with simplified questions, and the Independent Lab encourages student-driven exploration.

With minimal materials required, this resource saves teachers valuable prep time while delivering an engaging, inquiry-based experience. It is also available as part of the Complete Inquiry Labs Bundle and Chemistry Inquiry Labs Bundle for additional savings.

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

What are the properties of cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension in water?
How do these properties relate to the formation of water droplets, transport in plants, and insects walking on water?

Standards

TEKS Science - 8.6C Properties of Water