Download Insert Essential Question Here

Carbon: Hero and Villain
8th Grade Physical Science: Chemistry
• 6a. Students know that carbon, because of its ability to combine in many
ways with itself and other elements, has a central role in the chemistry of
living organisms.
• 6b. Students know that living organisms are made of molecules consisting
largely of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
BAESI July 26-28 2011:
SUSTAINABILITY
Collaborators
• Jennell LeBlanc, Dartmouth Middle
School, Union School District
• Patricia Anex, Charter School of Morgan
Hill, MHUSD
• Melanie Ramsey, McKinley Institute of
Technology Middle School, RCSD
BAESI July 26-28 2011:
SUSTAINABILITY
Student Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
• Understand and explain the atomic structure of carbon and carbon compounds
• Explain the carbon cycle, including rates of change in various sources and sinks in
the cycle
– Distinguish natural and manmade sources of carbon compounds including
carbon dioxide
– Identify cause and effect of varying amounts of carbon dioxide in biosphere
• Calculate individual ecological footprints
– Analyze individual and group behavior and the impact of both on “The
Commons” of atmosphere with respect to greenhouse gases and climate
change.
BAESI July 26-28 2011:
SUSTAINABILITY
Lesson Outline
 Lesson one: Introduction/refresher on Carbon as an element, including chemical
bonding
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Resources: www.chemicool.com
www.webelements.com
 Lesson two (several days): carbon cycle, carbon sources and sinks
 Resources:
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NOAA POET LINK Activities/Toolkit Vocabulary on carbon cycle and global warming
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gsd/outreach/education/poet/
Carbon Cycle Science—multiple activities and content. http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/research/themes/carbon/
United States Global Change Research Program: Toolkit Materials– Global Warming Wheel Card and Carbon
Cycle activities—also information on environmental impact.
http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/toolkit/materials#Information
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/education/carbon_toolkit/basics.html
 Lesson three: Carbon Travels Activity
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Resources: http://umassk12.net/earth/resources.html
 Lesson four: Ecological Footprint. Online Calculator with avatar or low tech version
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Resources: (http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/personal_footprint/
Redefining Progress Ecological Footprint
 Lesson five: Revisit essential question, solutions?
BAESI July 26-28 2011:
SUSTAINABILITY
Unit Assessment
 Choice of assessments include:
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Quiz Resource: The Great Carbon Cycling Quiz, download
pdf at www.lph.org
Culminating Activities on the following choice of topics:
Carbon: Hero or Villain, Friend of Foe?
Can Humans effectively address issues of global climate change?
Other
Choices include: debate, play, puppet-show, technology project,-digital story/blabberize, art, rap, comic strip, essay or ?
BAESI July 26-28 2011:
SUSTAINABILITY