Classify Elements Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 6.6C

Bring chemistry to life with this engaging, ready-to-teach unit on classifying elements using the periodic table.
This fully editable, multiday lesson includes presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments—everything you need to teach metals, nonmetals, and metalloids with confidence and minimal prep.

Built around student-led, differentiated learning, this resource keeps your students actively engaged while you focus on supporting their success.

Essential Questions

• How can elements be classified on the periodic table as metals, nonmetals, and metalloids based on their physical properties?

• Where can you find rare Earth elements on the periodic table, and why are they important in everyday life?

Why Teachers Love This Kesler Science Complete Lesson

• Differentiated materials to support learners at all levels

• Multimodal learning experiences to keep middle schoolers engaged and motivated

• Maximum flexibility – printable or digital formats for any classroom setup

• Editable PowerPoints for quick and easy customization

• Spanish translations for vocabulary, reading passages, and interactive notebook pages

• Aligned with 2021 TEKS standard 6.6C

Built around the **research-based 5E Instructional Model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate—**this complete resource guides students through every stage of inquiry-based learning.

What’s Included in Each 5E Stage

Engage

Kick off your unit with activities that spark curiosity and connect prior knowledge:

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards in English and Spanish

• Teacher guide with discussion prompts, class activities, and notes on common misconceptions

Explore

Students dive into the classification of elements through a student-led, differentiated station lab designed for all learning styles.
With nine interactive stations, students investigate the properties of elements to identify whether they are metals, nonmetals, or metalloids.

Input Stations allow students to explore new concepts in multiple ways:

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment that connects learning through engagement

• Read It! – Short reading passage with comprehension questions (English and Spanish versions included)

• Research It! – Guided online activity with data collection and analysis tasks

• Watch It! – Short video and discussion prompts to reinforce understanding

Output Stations give students creative ways to demonstrate what they’ve learned:

• Organize It! – Classify elements using printable or digital card sorts

• Write It! – Respond to open-ended prompts using academic vocabulary

• Illustrate It! – Create drawings or diagrams to visualize classification concepts

• Assess It! – Apply vocabulary and demonstrate mastery through formal questions

Bonus Station – Challenge It!
Fun, engaging extension activities for early finishers or advanced learners, including enrichment tasks that reinforce or extend learning.

Explain

Help students connect their discoveries with core scientific principles:

• Editable PowerPoints (standard and interactive versions) for flexible instruction

• Interactive Notebook Templates in both printable and digital formats (English and Spanish)

• Note-taking templates to support comprehension and vocabulary retention

Elaborate

Encourage creativity and deeper understanding with student-choice projects focused on how scientists classify elements using the periodic table.
Projects can be completed in class or at home for enrichment or assessment.

Evaluate

Reinforce learning and check for mastery with:

• STAAR 2.0–style assessment questions in both standard and modified versions

• Review worksheets for test prep, discussion, or homework practice

Perfect for In-Class or Virtual Learning

This lesson is designed for maximum flexibility—ideal for traditional, hybrid, or virtual classrooms.
The station lab and PowerPoint/interactive notebook materials are fully compatible with Google Slides and PowerPoint, making it easy to implement wherever your students are learning.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.