Carbon in the Atmosphere Lab

Positives

• The interactive climate model and self-assessment questions will help students comprehend the material.
  
• Key questions and learning objectives are outlined in the teacher pages.

Additional Prerequisites

• The CarbonTracker tool Lab 3B is best used on a computer as opposed to a tablet. This tool can be used in many different ways, so its a good idea to take time to familiarize yourself with everything this tool can do.
• Teachers should review the summary and all of the sections prior to the lesson.
• Some materials can be printed for students who do not have access to devices.

Differentiation

• In many of the Optional Extensions sections throughout the carbon cycle module, students are prompted to "research the latest research" on important carbon cycle topics, which they can do through NASA and NOAA websites.
  
• Discussion, Checking In, and Stop and Think questions can be adapted and used in a variety of ways based on teachers' needs. For example, some questions might make great "Do Now" activities as students enter the classroom or great "exit quizzes" as students leave.
• There are many connections that can be made to lessons about the seasons, weather vs. climate, energy, heat, the carbon cycle, and climate models.
• Younger students may need more guidance on the activities, scaffolded questions, or answer prompts.
• Consider having students watch the videos at home and have them work on the questions and climate model in the classroom.