Modeling Matter - Student Choice Projects, MS, New TEKS 8.6A

Empower your middle school students to take charge of their learning with the Modeling Matter Student Choice Projects, aligned with 2021 TEKS standard 8.6A.
This engaging resource allows students to select a project format that matches their learning and output style, giving them the opportunity to creatively demonstrate their understanding of atoms, elements, compounds, and the properties of matter.

The project choice board features six ready-to-use student-led options plus a “design your own” project, encouraging curiosity, collaboration, and deeper thinking.
An editable grading rubric makes assessment simple for teachers, peers, or student self-evaluation, ensuring consistent and meaningful feedback on vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy.

Flexible, Creative, and Student-Centered

These Student Choice Projects are designed for maximum flexibility and differentiation, allowing every learner to showcase their strengths.
Teachers can easily modify the rubric to fit their classroom goals, while students choose from multimodal project options—written, visual, digital, or hands-on—that align with their preferred learning styles.

This approach encourages critical thinking, creativity, and independent learning, giving students ownership of their understanding of matter and its structure.

What’s Included

• Nine project choice board options plus a “design your own” project

• Teacher Directions page with guidance, setup ideas, and differentiation tips

• Editable rubric pages assessing vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy

Differentiated for All Learners

To support a wide range of learners, this resource includes two versions of the project page:

• A modified version with three scaffolded project options designed to support students who need remediation or additional guidance.

• A standard version for grade-level or advanced learners, with the option to assign multiple projects for enrichment—all using the same consistent rubric.

Differentiation is built in, saving you valuable planning time!

Simple Supplies, Maximum Creativity

No special materials are required!
The Modeling Matter Student Choice Projects use common classroom supplies such as paper, markers, and scissors. Many projects can also be completed digitally, making them perfect for in-person, hybrid, or virtual learning.

For hands-on learners, optional craft materials can be used to build 3D models or visual representations of matter, allowing students to express their understanding creatively.

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.