Earth and Environmental Science · Week 5 · Earth Systems and Cycles
Cycling Matter Through Earth
Modeling the carbon cycle across all of Earth's spheres and deciding which personal actions most affect it.
- Students will
- Students develop a model showing how carbon moves among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere, tracing where matter and energy go.
- SEL skill
- Weigh the consequences of choices before ranking personal actions
- What it looks like
- Students practice decision-making by weighing personal actions that affect the carbon cycle.
- Content focus
- Cycling matter through Earth
- Format
- Collaborative analysis
Responsible decision-making
Responsible decision-making is choosing what to do by weighing what is right, what is safe, and what will happen as a result. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- HS-ESS2-6: High School Earth and Space Science performance expectation
- Science and engineering practice: SEP2 Developing and using models
- Crosscutting concept: CCC5 Energy and matter
- CA Environmental Principles and Concepts: Principle IV: There are no permanent or impermeable boundaries that prevent matter from flowing between systems
- Literacy in science: WHST.11-12.2 Write informative and explanatory texts, including scientific procedures and processes.
- Traditional course: Earth and Environmental Science
Fits these textbook chapters
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More responsible decision-making activities for Earth and Environmental Science
- Dust and Breath Responsible decision-makingAnalyzing air quality data near the exposed lakebed and evaluating fair solutions for communities with high asthma rates.
- Who Gets the Water Responsible decision-makingArguing about water allocation among farms, cities, tribes, and the Salton Sea while managing strong feelings in debate.
- Climate Models Responsible decision-makingComparing climate model projections and weighing uncertainty without sliding into denial or despair.
- Resource Costs and Benefits Responsible decision-makingEvaluating the costs and benefits of mining and energy strategies and making decisions with both head and heart.
Previous: Rocks Tell Stories · Next: Field Teams
RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.