Disruptions in Ecosystems - Student Choice Projects, MS, New TEKS 8.12A

Bring creativity and critical thinking into your ecosystems unit with student-led projects focused on disruptions in ecosystems! Aligned with TEKS 2021 standard 8.12A, this resource empowers middle school students to choose from nine project options—or design their own! Students demonstrate their understanding of how environmental changes, human activities, and natural events can affect ecosystem balance through engaging, hands-on learning.

Teachers can easily adapt the included editable rubric for grading flexibility. Whether students prefer to build, write, illustrate, present, or create digitally, this project choice board encourages ownership and creativity in science learning.

What’s Included

• Student Choice Board with 9 ready-to-use project ideas + 1 “Design Your Own” option

• Teacher Directions Page with classroom management tips and implementation suggestions

• Editable Rubric that assesses vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy

Differentiation Made Simple

• Includes two versions of the project page:

  • A Modified Version with three scaffolded options to support students who need extra guidance

  • A Full Version with all project choices for general or advanced learners

• For advanced students, assign a combination of projects using the same rubric for easy grading consistency

Supplies Needed

All projects are designed for use with everyday classroom materials like paper, markers, and scissors. Many projects can also be completed digitally, and crafting supplies can enhance model-building or visual displays.

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.