Humans & Ocean Systems Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 7.11B

Everything you need for an engaging middle school ecosystems unit on human dependence and influence on ocean systems — and how human activities impact them. This resource includes editable presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments. Designed for flexibility, this multiday lesson requires low to no prep and supports differentiated, student-led learning so you can focus on what matters most — your students’ success!

Essential Questions

• How do humans depend on the oceans?

• How does human activity impact ocean systems?

What Makes This Lesson Stand Out

• Differentiated materials for all learning levels

• Multimodal learning to keep students engaged

• Flexible formats: Printable or digital — both included!

• Editable PowerPoints to customize for your classroom

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

• Aligned with 2021 TEKS standard 7.11B

Built on the 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate), this complete resource gives you everything you need to make complex Earth science concepts meaningful and accessible.

What’s Included

Engagement

• Objectives and Word Wall cards (English & Spanish)

• Teacher guide with discussion prompts, classroom activities, and misconceptions

Exploration

The student-led station lab engages all learners through nine differentiated, multimodal stations. Students explore how oceans support life on Earth — from generating oxygen and food to absorbing carbon dioxide, influencing weather, and driving global trade.

Input Stations:

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment

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

• Research It! – Online investigation with visuals and guiding questions

• Watch It! – Short video and guided reflection

Output Stations:

• Organize It! – Printable or digital card sorts

• Write It! – Open-ended written responses

• Illustrate It! – Draw or model human–ocean relationships

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context questions

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Enrichment puzzles, games, and mini-projects for early finishers

Explanation

• Editable PowerPoints (standard and interactive)

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

• Guided note-taking templates

Elaboration

• Student-choice projects exploring human reliance on and impact within ocean systems

Evaluation

• STAAR 2.0-style assessments (standard & modified)

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

Perfect for In-Class or Virtual Learning

Every activity — from station labs to presentations — works seamlessly in Google Slides or PowerPoint, making this lesson ideal for both in-person and distance learning environments.

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.