Matter in the Biosphere Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 7.12B

Everything you need for an engaging, low-prep middle school ecosystems unit on how ecosystems are sustained by the continuous flow of energy and the recycling of matter and nutrients within the biosphere. This editable, multiday resource includes presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments designed for differentiated, student-led learning—giving you more time to focus on your students’ success.

Essential Questions

• How are ecosystems sustained by the continuous flow of energy within the biosphere?

• How are ecosystems sustained by the continuous recycling of matter and nutrients within the biosphere?

Why Teachers Love This Lesson

• Differentiated materials for a variety of learners

• Multimodal learning options to keep students engaged

• Fully editable PowerPoints and resources

• Flexible print and digital formats (Google Slides compatible)

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

• Aligned with TEKS 7.12B

5E Lesson Breakdown

Engagement

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards (English & Spanish)

• Teacher discussion guides, student engagement ideas, and misconceptions support

Exploration

A student-led station lab with nine interactive, differentiated stations to explore how matter and energy flow through Earth’s systems.

Input Stations (Build Understanding):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment introduces the concept

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

• Research It! – Online investigations and guided prompts

• Watch It! – Short, focused video with reflection questions

Output Stations (Show Understanding):

• Organize It! – Printable and digital card sorts

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

• Illustrate It! – Sketch and label concepts for visual learning

• Assess It! – Targeted task cards with contextual vocabulary review

Bonus Station – Challenge It!
Perfect for early finishers or enrichment—includes crosswords, games, and creative mini-projects.

Explanation

• Editable PowerPoints (standard and interactive versions)

• Interactive Notebook Templates (digital + printable, English & Spanish)

• Note-taking guides for direct instruction or self-paced learning

Elaboration

• Student Choice Projects that allow learners to creatively demonstrate understanding of energy flow and matter recycling in the biosphere

Evaluation

• STAAR 2.0–style assessment questions in two versions (standard and modified)

• Review worksheet for discussion, test prep, or homework

Perfect for Any Classroom Setting

Designed for in-person or virtual learning, all files are compatible with Google Slides and PowerPoint, making this an adaptable and engaging resource for every teaching environment.

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.