Natural & Artificial Selection Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 7.13D

Everything you need for an engaging, ready-to-teach ecosystems and genetics unit on how natural and artificial selection influence traits in populations over generations.
This resource includes editable presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments—all designed for multiday, low-prep instruction that blends digital and print learning seamlessly. Differentiated, student-led activities empower your middle schoolers to take charge of their learning while giving you time to focus on student success.

Essential Questions

• How does natural selection change the expression of traits in a population over generations?

• How does artificial selection change the expression of traits in a population over generations?

What Makes This Kesler Science Lesson Stand Out

• Differentiated materials for all learners

• Multimodal, student-led activities to build engagement

• Printable and digital formats for maximum flexibility

• Editable PowerPoints you can easily tailor to your classroom

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

• Fully aligned with TEKS 7.13D

Based on the 5E Model of Instruction

This resource follows the Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation framework to create a complete, scaffolded learning experience.

What’s Included in Each Phase

Engagement

• Objectives and word wall cards (English & Spanish)

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

Exploration

Student-Led Station Lab — Differentiated for all learners with nine multimodal stations covering natural and artificial selection through interactive and hands-on learning:

Input Stations (Learn):

• Explore It! – Hands-on experiment or demo

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

• Research It! – Guided web activity with visuals and data

• Watch It! – Short, engaging video with comprehension prompts

Output Stations (Show Understanding):

• Organize It! – Card sorts and digital manipulatives

• Write It! – Open-ended response activities

• Illustrate It! – Visual representation of key concepts

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

Bonus Station – Challenge It!
Extension activities, crosswords, and mini-projects for early finishers or advanced learners

Explanation

• Editable PowerPoints (standard + interactive versions)

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

• Guided notes for student comprehension

Elaboration

• Student Choice Projects exploring how natural and artificial selection shape traits in populations over time

Evaluation

• STAAR 2.0–style assessment questions (standard & modified)

• Review worksheets for practice, discussion, or homework

Perfect for Any Learning Environment

Whether in-person or virtual, this lesson is fully compatible with Google Slides and PowerPoint, making it easy to implement across teaching settings.

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.