Common Core. ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7. Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
Although the age at which maximum carbon sequestration occurs varies with tree species, the general shape of this relationship is similar for all species.
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts. 1 – Patterns. MS. Patterns in rates of change and other numerical relationships can provide information about natural systems.
Carbon flows through biological, physical, and geological systems with different processes and at different timescales.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas. MS-ESS2.A – Earth’s Materials and Systems. All Earth processes are the result of energy flowing and matter cycling within and among the planet’s systems. This energy is derived from the sun and Earth’s hot interior. The energy that flows and matter that cycles produce chemical and physical changes in Earth’s materials and living organisms.
students understand the elements required in their argument, including claim, evidence, and reasoning
Common Core. ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.1. Write arguments focused on discipline content.
students will be examining the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over time
NGSS Performance Expectations. MS-ESS3-5 – Earth and Human Activity. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
To introduce the topic of the carbon cycle, ask students to brainstorm what they already know about carbon.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas. MS-ESS2.A – Earth’s Materials and Systems. All Earth processes are the result of energy flowing and matter cycling within and among the planet’s systems. This energy is derived from the sun and Earth’s hot interior. The energy that flows and matter that cycles produce chemical and physical changes in Earth’s materials and living organisms.
Focus particularly on the What We Need to Know category
NGSS Performance Expectations. MS-ESS3-5 – Earth and Human Activity. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
Most increases in carbon dioxide emissions come from burning fossil fuels to run automobiles, power plants, and industries. The second largest source is land-use change, mainly the clearing of forests for agriculture or development.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas. MS-ESS3.D – Global Climate Change. Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities.
What assumptions did you make to arrive at this prediction? What impact might this have on climatic conditions?
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts. 7 – Stability and Change. MS. Explanations of stability and change in natural or designed systems can be constructed by examining the changes over time and processes at different scales, including the atomic scale.
Have the students from different groups with the same roles meet together to discuss what they need to do and what to research
NGSS Performance Expectations. MS-ESS3-5 – Earth and Human Activity. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.