Urinary System Functions Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 7.13A

This complete unit provides middle school teachers with everything needed to teach the functions of the urinary system and its role in maintaining homeostasis. Students explore how the urinary system works with the circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and integumentary systems to regulate water levels, balance pH, and remove toxins and waste. The resource includes editable presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, a differentiated station lab, and assessments. Designed for multiday use with minimal prep, it emphasizes student-led, differentiated learning, allowing teachers to focus on guiding students toward mastery.

Essential Questions for Students

• What is the main function of the urinary system?

• How can we model the main functions of these tissues and organs?

Standards Alignment: Meets 2021 TEKS standard 7.13A.

Key Features

• Differentiated supports for students at multiple levels

• Multimodal activities to engage learners in diverse ways

• Flexible formats—resources available in both printable and digital versions

• Editable PowerPoints for customization

• Spanish translations of vocabulary, a station lab reading passage, and interactive notebook pages

Instructional Framework: The 5E Model

This lesson is built around the 5E instructional model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate—balancing inquiry, practice, and assessment.

Engage

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards (English & Spanish)

• Teacher file with discussion prompts, student activities, and notes on misconceptions

Explore

• A nine-station, student-led lab introducing the organs, structures, and importance of the urinary system in balancing water, pH, and molecules

Input Stations:

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment

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

• Research It! – Guided online activity with structured tasks

• Watch It! – Short video with discussion prompts

Output Stations:

• Organize It! – Printable/digital card sorts and categorization activities

• Write It! – Open-ended responses written in complete sentences

• Illustrate It! – Sketching/drawing urinary system functions

• Assess It! – Vocabulary-in-context and mastery-based questions

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Puzzles, crosswords, and mini-projects for enrichment or early finishers

Explain

• Editable PowerPoints in standard and interactive versions

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

• Guided note-taking organizers

Elaborate

• Student-choice projects on urinary system functions and components to extend learning in class or at home

Evaluate

• Assessments updated for STAAR 2.0, available in standard and modified versions

• Review worksheets and discussion questions for practice, homework, or test prep

Flexible Learning Options

This lesson is designed for both in-person and virtual classrooms. The digital station lab and interactive notebook resources are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making them easy to use in blended or online 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.