Disruptions in Ecosystems Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 8.12A

Everything you need for an engaging ecosystems unit on how population changes, natural disasters, and human intervention affect the transfer of energy in food webs is included in this comprehensive lesson. With editable presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments, this multiday unit is low-prep and highly adaptable, allowing you to focus on guiding your students to success.

Through differentiated, student-led learning, your middle schoolers will explore how environmental disruptions impact the stability of ecosystems and the balance of energy transfer among producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Essential Questions

• What role do population changes, natural disasters, and human interventions play in the transfer of energy in food webs?

• How do these disruptions impact the stability of ecosystems?

Texas Teachers: This lesson aligns with 2021 TEKS standard 8.12A.

Why Teachers Love This Lesson

• Differentiated materials for a variety of learning levels

• Multimodal instruction to keep students engaged and curious

• Fully flexible formats—use it in print or digital classrooms

• Editable PowerPoints for easy customization

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

Built around the proven 5E Instructional Model (Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, Evaluation), this resource gives you everything needed for effective, inquiry-based science instruction.

What’s Included

Engagement

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards (English & Spanish)

• Teacher guide with discussion starters, a hands-on activity, and misconceptions to address

Exploration – Student-Led Station Lab
Nine differentiated stations guide students through the effects of ecosystem disruptions on energy flow and stability.

Input Stations – Build Understanding

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment to model disruption effects

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

• Research It! – Website-based investigations with guided questions

• Watch It! – Short, engaging video and discussion prompts

Output Stations – Show Understanding

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

• Write It! – Open-ended writing prompts for critical thinking

• Illustrate It! – Student-created visuals showing energy transfer disruptions

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

Bonus Station – Challenge It!
Extension activities for advanced learners, including crosswords, games, and creative mini-projects

Explanation

• Editable PowerPoints (standard & interactive)

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

• Guided note-taking templates

Elaboration

• Student-choice projects exploring ecosystem components, energy flow, and disruptions

Evaluation

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

• Review worksheets for practice, discussion, or homework

Perfect for In-Class or Virtual Learning

All components are Google Slides and PowerPoint compatible, making it easy to implement in traditional or digital classrooms. Students can work independently, in small groups, or collaboratively 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.