The Carbon Atom—A Limitless Life Story

This lesson will encourage students to interact the Carbon cycle as a Carbon atom in a multi-modal format. During their analysis of the Carbon Cycle, students will be focused on the various forms the Carbon atom will be in culminating the predicting ocean acidification trends. Students will be completing a matching activity with the vocabulary and definitions associated with the Carbon Cycle. After a brief peer interaction opportunity, students will analyze real-time carbon dioxide data from the Environmental Protection Agency looking for trends and examining possible causes of the fluctuations in amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Lastly, students will create a visually appealing poster using technology to explain their segment of the Carbon Cycle. This lesson can be used as a preview lesson or a review lesson after biogeochemical cycles has been taught.

Authors: DeAnna Lee-Rivers, Beth Marass, My Nguyen; EARTH 2014

Lesson Resources

• Lesson Plan
• Teacher Resources
• Student Activity Sheet
• Cycle Vocabulary Cards (Word | PDF)
• Carbon Cycle Infographic (png | PDF Letter | Ledger)
• Carbon Infographic Key (png | PDF Letter | Ledger)
• Student Rubric