Variations & Survival Station Lab - New TEKS 6.13D

Engage your middle school students with this modular, student-led activity that explores how variations within a population can be an advantage or disadvantage for survival as environments change.
Aligned with 2021 TEKS standard 6.13C, this comprehensive, ready-to-use resource saves you valuable prep time while empowering students to take ownership of their learning through exploration and discovery.

Perfect for both in-class and virtual learning, this lab offers a flexible, differentiated approach that makes life science concepts accessible and exciting for every student.

Differentiated, Modular, and Student-Led

Each station lab features nine differentiated activities that allow students to create a personalized learning experience while the teacher acts as a facilitator—guiding and supporting rather than directing.

The nine modular stations come complete with signage, reading materials, resources, and task cards, so students can work independently or in small groups.
The Explore It! station may require a few common classroom materials you likely already have on hand.

The Stations

Input Stations – Learn and Explore

Students build understanding through multimodal experiences that introduce key concepts about variations and survival.

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration or digital activity connecting learning through real-world application. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text using PowerPoint or Google Slides.

• Watch It! – Short, engaging video with guided comprehension questions to reinforce key ideas.

• Read It! – Short, focused reading passage with comprehension and vocabulary questions. Differentiated passages are provided in English and Spanish for multiple reading levels.

• Research It! – Students analyze facts, images, and graphs to deepen understanding, completing related tasks and questions on their lab sheets.

Output Stations – Apply and Demonstrate Understanding

Students show what they’ve learned in creative and meaningful ways.

• Organize It! – Categorize and sort examples using manipulatives or digital drag-and-drop tools.

• Illustrate It! – Draw or model key ideas to visually represent concepts and strengthen recall.

• Write It! – Respond to short-answer prompts using academic vocabulary and complete sentences.

• Assess It! – Demonstrate mastery with task cards and written responses that use lesson vocabulary in context.

Bonus Station – Challenge It!

Keep early finishers and advanced students engaged with extension activities that include crosswords, interactive games, and mini-projects. These challenges reinforce learning while promoting curiosity and deeper thinking.

Why Teachers Love This Resource

• Comprehensive and ready to use – no extensive prep required

• Differentiated – supports all learners and reading levels

• Flexible – works perfectly for in-person or online instruction

• Engaging and student-centered – promotes inquiry and independent learning

• Compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides – easy integration for digital classrooms

Can This Resource Be Used for Virtual Learning?

Yes! The Variations and Survival Station Lab is fully adaptable for both classroom and virtual environments.
All files are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, allowing students to engage with the content wherever they are.

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.