Nervous System Functions Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 7.13A

This complete unit equips middle school teachers with everything needed to teach the role of the nervous system in sending and receiving information about what is happening in and around the body. Students explore the structure and function of the nervous system, including how the central and peripheral systems respond to stimuli. The resource includes editable presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, a differentiated station lab, and assessments. Designed for multiday instruction with minimal prep, it emphasizes student-led, differentiated learning, giving teachers the flexibility to focus on student growth and mastery.

Essential Questions for Students

• What is the main function of the nervous system?

• How can we model the main functions of these tissues and organs?

Standards Alignment: Meets 2021 TEKS standard 7.13A.

Key Features

• Differentiated materials for remediation or enrichment

• Multimodal activities to support engagement and retention

• Flexible formats—resources available in both printable and digital versions

• Editable PowerPoints for easy customization

• Spanish translations of vocabulary, a station lab passage, and interactive notebook pages

Instructional Framework: The 5E Model

This lesson is built around the 5E instructional model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate—balancing inquiry, guided practice, and assessment.

Engage

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards (English & Spanish)

• Teacher file with ideas for discussions, class activities, and notes on common misconceptions

Explore

• A nine-station, student-led lab introducing the functions and key parts of the nervous system

Input Stations:

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment

• Read It! – Differentiated reading passages (English & Spanish) with comprehension checks

• Research It! – Guided online activity with structured tasks

• Watch It! – Short video with discussion prompts

Output Stations:

• Organize It! – Categorization and card sort activities (printable or digital)

• Write It! – Open-ended written responses

• Illustrate It! – Sketching/drawing nervous system functions and processes

• Assess It! – Vocabulary-in-context and mastery-based questions

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Games, puzzles, and mini-projects for enrichment or early finishers

Explain

• Editable PowerPoints (standard and interactive versions)

• Interactive Notebook templates (digital & print, English & Spanish)

• Note-taking templates for guided student learning

Elaborate

• Student-choice projects on the components and functions of the nervous system

Evaluate

• Assessments updated for STAAR 2.0, with standard and modified versions

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

Flexible Learning Options

This lesson is designed for both in-person and virtual classrooms. The digital station lab and interactive notebook materials are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making them simple to implement in blended or online environments.

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.