About Image Teacher Guide Building a better tomorrow By Gary Strickland, Sherri Merrill Meet the Authors "Do the individual decisions that we make really make a difference in the environment?"  Overview  Understandings and Standards  Activities  Resources  Student Guide Powered By 510-635-0585 info@my-ecoach.com Contact Us Overview Grade Level: 8 Curriculum Areas: Focus: Science Secondary: History/Social Science, English/Language Arts, Reading, Technology Topic: Environmental Cycles Themes: Carbon Cycle, Chemical Reactions, Earth Systems, Nitrogen Cycle, Periodic Table, Water Cycle Duration: 50 minutes a day for four days Summary Students will gather information from various sources to learn how vital elements are cycled through our environment. A vital and important question for all students is, "why is this important and how does this affect my life?" Students will work in small groups to learn the nitrogen, carbon, and water cycles. They must then demonstrate how these cycles apply to their daily lives. Finally, the students must consider the combined effect of many people on these cycles and our global environment. They must then evaluate the impact that any changes in these cycles will have to their future. Rationale One of the most difficult tasks of any student is to make connections between what is learned in the classroom and what goes on outside the school in their daily lives. Eighth grade students are expected to learn the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles. Through this project, students will gain an understanding of the importance of these cycles. Students will understand how human actions can alter these cycles and change our world for better or for worse.