Development of Cell Theory Station Lab New TEKS 6.13A

This student-led, modular station lab is designed to meet the 2021 TEKS 6.13A standard by guiding middle school students through the historical development of cell theory. Students will learn how organisms are composed of one or more cells, which come from pre-existing cells, and why cells are the basic unit of structure and function. With nine multimodal, differentiated stations, students take charge of their own learning while teachers serve as facilitators—making this a low-prep, high-engagement lesson perfect for life science classrooms.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine stations total: eight differentiated core activities plus one enrichment station for early finishers

• Differentiated supports for diverse learners—scaffolded passages for remediation and enrichment activities for advanced students

• Includes station signage, task cards, readings, and resources to keep implementation simple and organized

• The Explore It! station may require a few basic classroom supplies already on hand

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building knowledge):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration; digital version includes interactive tasks in PowerPoint or Google Slides

• Watch It! – Short video with comprehension prompts

• Read It! – Differentiated reading passages (English & Spanish) with vocabulary and comprehension questions

• Research It! – Facts, images, and graphs with guided questions for deeper understanding

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

• Organize It! – Classification and categorization with manipulatives or digital tools

• Illustrate It! – Students create sketches or diagrams to model the development of cell theory

• Write It! – Short-answer prompts requiring complete sentences and critical thinking

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context activities to demonstrate mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Enrichment activities such as puzzles, games, crosswords, and mini-projects for advanced learners or early finishers

Flexible Implementation

This station lab is fully adaptable for in-person and virtual instruction. All files are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making them simple to integrate into blended or online classrooms.

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.