Super STAAR

Supporting Lessons

Carbon Dioxide Sources and Sinks: Windows to the Universe (website) - Students use a chemical indicator to detect the presence of carbon dioxide in living and nonliving sources, and then determine if animals, plants and fossil fuels are CO₂ sources or sinks. Note: read the directions carefully, as detailed preparations are required.

Carbon Dioxide Sources and Sinks
Windows to the Universe, www.windows2universe.org

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Go with the Energy Flow: TeachEngineering (website) - Students learn about energy and nutrient flow in various biosphere climates and environments, and are introduced to the roles of the carbon, hydrologic (water), and nitrogen cycles in ecosystems. For this TEK, focus only on the carbon cycle. Includes assessment and extensions.

Go with the Energy Flow
TeachEngineering, www.teachengineering.org

Assessment Ideas

Have students draw simple food chains or food webs to illustrate the origins of the components of a meal they have eaten recently. Each chain or web should start with the Sun, include producers and associated consumers, and use arrows to indicate the flow of energy from one food chain/web level to the next. The illustrations also should show where carbon is introduced into the food chain and how it is transferred between levels.

Literature Connections

Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life. Bang, Molly (ISBN-13: 978-0545044226)

Common Ground: The Water, Earth, and Air We Share. Bang, Molly (ISBN-13: 978-0590100564)

Additional Resources

Carbon Cycle: Science Learning (website) - A comprehensive interactive diagram of the carbon cycle includes videos and photos.

Carbon Cycle
Science Learning, www.sciencelearn.org