Taxonomy Station Lab - New 2021 TEKS 7.14A

Keep your middle school students engaged, curious, and learning with this modular, student-led activity on taxonomy—aligned with 2021 TEKS standard 7.14A. This comprehensive resource saves you hours of prep time while empowering students to take ownership of their learning through exploration, collaboration, and critical thinking.

In this interactive station lab, students will describe and apply the taxonomic system used to classify living organisms based on their shared similarities and differences. Perfect for both in-class and virtual learning, this flexible lesson adapts easily to your schedule and teaching format.

Differentiated, Modular, and Student-Led

Each station lab includes nine engaging, differentiated activities that allow students to build a personalized learning experience. With this student-centered approach, the teacher acts as a guide and facilitator—encouraging exploration rather than directing every step.

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

The Stations

Input Stations – Learn and Explore

Students encounter key concepts about taxonomy through a variety of multimodal learning experiences.

• Explore It! – A hands-on demo or activity that connects students with real-world applications of classification. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

• Watch It! – Students watch a short video and answer guided questions about taxonomy concepts.

• Read It! – Students read a concise, engaging passage about taxonomy and respond to comprehension and vocabulary questions. Differentiated passages are included in English and Spanish for varied reading levels.

• Research It! – Students analyze facts, images, and graphs to deepen understanding of taxonomy, completing guided tasks and responses on their lab sheet.

Output Stations – Show What You Know

Students demonstrate their learning in creative, meaningful ways.

• Organize It! – Classify and sort information using hands-on or digital manipulatives.

• Illustrate It! – Draw or model key taxonomy concepts to reinforce comprehension through visual learning.

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

• Assess It! – Demonstrate mastery through task cards, questions, and contextual vocabulary practice.

Bonus Station – Challenge It!

Keep early finishers and advanced learners motivated with extension activities such as crossword puzzles, interactive games, and mini-projects that expand and reinforce understanding.

Why Teachers Love This Resource

• Comprehensive and ready to use – minimal prep required

• Student-centered and inquiry-driven – promotes critical thinking and independence

• Differentiated and flexible – works for all learners and learning environments

• Compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides – perfect for traditional or virtual classrooms

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.