Biotic & Abiotic Interactions Student-Led Station Lab - Grade 5, New TEKS 5.12A

Modular and student-led, these activities on the interactions of organisms with the abiotic and biotic factors in ecosystems cover the ecosystems 2021 TEKS 5.12A standard. It will keep your 5th grade class engaged and learning throughout this life science lesson. These comprehensive materials will save you a TON of prep time while giving upper elementary students a chance to direct their own learning. 

In this station lab, students will observe and describe how a variety of organisms survive by interacting with biotic and abiotic factors in a healthy ecosystem.

DIFFERENTIATED, MODULAR, STUDENT-LED

Each station lab has nine differentiated activities that help the student create a personalized learning experience. In this student-centered approach, the teacher facilitates student learning rather than directing it.

The nine modular stations include all the signage, literature, resources, and task cards for the students to complete independently or in small groups. The stations may also require a few materials that you likely already have in your lab for the Explore It! station.

THE STATIONS

INPUT Stations offer multimodal ways to encounter new concepts about the interactions of organisms with various biotic and abiotic factors within their ecosystems, including:

Explore It! – This station includes an activity that allows the student to connect information through application. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Watch It! – Students watch a short video at this station and answer questions about the differences between biotic and abiotic factors.

Read It! – At this station, students read a short passage about the interactions between living things and their environment within an ecosystem and answer questions about the reading and vocabulary terms. There are differentiated passages, now in English and Spanish, for readers that need a shorter, easier text.

Research It! – This station gives students facts, images, and graphs to connect with their learning about how things like temperature, populations, sunlight, and pollution impact different ecosystems. Students will perform tasks and answer related questions on their lab sheet. 

OUTPUT Stations provide multiple ways for students to show what they have learned as they differentiate between biotic and abiotic factors and explain how they impact ecosystems.

Organize It! – The students work hands-on with manipulatives at this station. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Illustrate It! – At this station, the student sketches or draws out an example of a healthy ecosystem including biotic and abiotic factors, and organisms most affected by sunlight. This visual learning activity allows for better recall and retention of new information.

Write It! – At this station, the students respond to short answer prompts that allow them to communicate their knowledge using complete sentences.

Assess It! – The students demonstrate their understanding of how different organisms depend on a variety of abiotic factors such as water, sunlight, and temperature using a series of task cards with questions and a paragraph that uses vocabulary in context.

Bonus Station - Challenge It! – Early finishers and advanced students will love the extension activities in this station. Expand their learning through crosswords, games, and mini projects.

Can This Resource Be Used for Virtual Learning?

Yes! Station labs have been created so that students can use them on campus or in a virtual learning environment.

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