Modeling Matter Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 8.6A

Help your students understand and model the structure of matter with this engaging, ready-to-teach unit on elements, compounds, pure substances, and mixtures.
This fully editable, multiday resource includes presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments—everything you need to guide students through the properties and composition of matter with confidence.

Built around student-led, differentiated learning, this lesson encourages hands-on exploration, inquiry, and collaboration while giving you time to focus on what matters most—student success.

Essential Question

• How can models be used to represent and classify matter according to its composition?

Why Teachers Love This Kesler Science Complete Lesson

• Differentiated materials that support all learners

• Multimodal learning to keep middle school students engaged

• Maximum flexibility – use it printable, digital, or hybrid

• Editable PowerPoints to customize for your classroom

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

• Aligned with 2021 TEKS standard 8.6A

This complete unit follows the **research-based 5E Instructional Model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate—**to help students connect hands-on experiences with real-world science applications.

What’s Included in Each 5E Stage

Engage

Spark curiosity and introduce key vocabulary and concepts with:

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards in English and Spanish

• Teacher guide including discussion prompts, classroom activities, and common misconceptions

Explore

Students investigate how matter is classified and represented through a student-led, differentiated station lab designed for all learning styles.
With nine interactive stations, students model elements, compounds, pure substances, and mixtures in a variety of multimodal ways.

Input Stations help students absorb information through multiple experiences:

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment connecting learning through real-world application

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

• Research It! – Guided online activity that challenges students to analyze and model different forms of matter

• Watch It! – Short, focused video paired with reflection and discussion prompts

Output Stations allow students to demonstrate understanding creatively:

• Organize It! – Sort and classify information using printable or digital manipulatives

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

• Illustrate It! – Draw or model atoms, compounds, and mixtures to reinforce visual learning

• Assess It! – Demonstrate mastery through targeted review questions and written responses

Bonus Station – Challenge It!
Provide early finishers and advanced learners with engaging extension activities such as crosswords, games, and mini-projects that encourage deeper thinking and application.

Explain

Help students connect their discoveries to scientific concepts with:

• Editable PowerPoints (standard and interactive versions)

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

• Note-taking templates to guide comprehension and retention

Elaborate

Encourage independent learning and creativity with student-choice projects where students model and classify matter—including elements, compounds, pure substances, and mixtures.
These projects extend learning beyond the classroom and promote higher-level thinking.

Evaluate

Reinforce learning and assess mastery with:

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

• Review worksheets for discussions, test prep, or homework

Perfect for In-Class or Virtual Learning

This lesson is designed for maximum flexibility, whether you’re teaching in person or online.
The station lab and interactive notebook materials are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, allowing seamless implementation in any learning environment.

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.