Organic Compounds Complete Lesson Plan - MS

Engage your students in exploring the building blocks of life with this ready-to-teach, fully editable unit on organic compounds.
This multiday, low-prep resource includes presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments—everything you need for a complete, interactive chemistry lesson that promotes student-led discovery and differentiation.

Students will explore how carbon-based molecules form the foundation of all living things, learning to identify and analyze organic compounds through engaging, multimodal activities.

Essential Questions

• How do you identify organic compounds?

• How are organic compounds produced?

• What elements are found in organic compounds?

• How can you recognize organic compounds in chemical formulas?

Texas Teachers: This lesson aligns with the 2017 TEKS and will not be updated for the 2021 standards.

Why Teachers Love This Kesler Science Complete Lesson

• Differentiated materials for learners who need extra support

• Multimodal learning to keep middle schoolers engaged and motivated

• Maximum flexibility – printable, digital, or hybrid formats

• Editable PowerPoints for easy customization

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

This lesson follows the **research-based 5E Instructional Model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate—**to foster curiosity, inquiry, and mastery through student-centered learning.

What’s Included in Each 5E Stage

Engage

Hook your students and activate prior knowledge with:

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards in English and Spanish

• Teacher guide featuring class discussion ideas, activities, and notes on common misconceptions

Explore

Students investigate organic compounds and their structures through a student-led, differentiated station lab designed for all learning styles.
With nine interactive stations, students build an understanding of organic chemistry concepts by identifying patterns, analyzing chemical formulas, and connecting to real-world examples.

Input Stations help students absorb content in multiple ways:

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment connecting carbon compounds to real-world applications

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

• Research It! – Guided online investigation with structured questions and tasks

• Watch It! – Short video with discussion prompts to reinforce key concepts

Output Stations allow students to apply and communicate what they’ve learned:

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

• Write It! – Respond to open-ended questions using complete sentences and vocabulary in context

• Illustrate It! – Draw or model organic molecules to reinforce comprehension and recall

• Assess It! – Demonstrate mastery through structured assessment questions

Bonus Station – Challenge It!
For early finishers or advanced learners, this extension station includes puzzles, mini-projects, and games that deepen understanding and strengthen retention.

Explain

Help students make connections and solidify understanding with:

• Editable PowerPoints (standard and interactive versions)

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

• Note-taking templates for guided instruction and concept organization

Elaborate

Encourage creativity and critical thinking with student-choice projects that allow students to extend their learning about organic compounds—perfect for in-class or at-home enrichment.

Evaluate

Assess comprehension and reinforce mastery with:

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

• Review worksheets for class discussions, test prep, or homework

Perfect for In-Class or Virtual Learning

This resource is designed for maximum flexibility, making it ideal for traditional, blended, or virtual classrooms.
Both the station lab and interactive notebook materials are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, ensuring easy access for every learner.

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