Diagram Trophic Levels Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 7.12A

Everything you need for an engaging ecosystems unit on diagramming the flow of energy through trophic levels and explaining how available energy decreases in successive levels of an energy pyramid is included in this resource! With editable presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments, this multiday lesson is both comprehensive and low-prep, freeing you to focus on student understanding and success.

Through differentiated, student-led learning, your middle schoolers will explore the relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposers—while discovering how energy transfers and diminishes within ecosystems.

Essential Question

• How is the flow of energy through trophic levels of energy pyramids diagrammed?

Texas Teachers: This lesson aligns with 2021 TEKS standard 7.12A.

Why Teachers Love This Lesson

• Differentiated materials that support diverse learners

• Multimodal learning to keep students active and engaged

• Maximum flexibility—use it digitally or in print

• Editable PowerPoints for seamless customization

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

This lesson follows the 5E Instructional Model (Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, Evaluation), providing a proven framework for meaningful, inquiry-based science instruction.

What’s Included

Engagement

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards (English & Spanish)

• Teacher file with class discussion prompts, a hands-on activity, and common misconceptions

Exploration – Student-Led Station Lab
Nine differentiated stations allow students to investigate how energy flows and decreases between trophic levels using models and real-world examples.

Input Stations – Build Understanding

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment to visualize energy flow

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

• Research It! – Web-based inquiry with visuals, graphs, and analysis tasks

• Watch It! – Short video and guided reflection questions

Output Stations – Show Understanding

• Organize It! – Printable or digital card sorts/manipulatives

• Write It! – Open-ended short-answer prompts

• Illustrate It! – Student-created energy pyramid diagrams

• Assess It! – Task cards + vocabulary-in-context activity

Bonus Station – Challenge It!
Extension activities such as crosswords, games, and mini-projects for early finishers and enrichment

Explanation

• Editable PowerPoints (standard & interactive)

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

• Guided note-taking templates

Elaboration

• Student-choice projects to extend learning about trophic levels, energy flow, and ecosystem balance

Evaluation

• STAAR 2.0–style assessments (standard & modified versions)

• Review worksheet for test practice, discussion, or homework

Perfect for In-Class or Virtual Learning

Every element of this lesson is designed for flexibility. The station lab, PowerPoints, and digital notebooks are fully compatible with Google Slides and PowerPoint, making it easy to teach in-person or online.

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.