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Coloring Page: The Carbon Dioxide Cycle

Activity - Classroom

Grades3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8Earth and Space Sciences

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Provided by NASA
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What it is

  • In this NASA coloring activity, students will color a page that represents the carbon dioxide cycle: the movement of carbon dioxide (CO2) between the land, the atmosphere, and the ocean.

Teaching tips

Positives
  • The downloadable PDF file includes a second page with definitions for each labeled term. 
  • The activity visualizes the important aspects of the carbon cycle, and it is also available in Spanish.
  • Students will learn about the carbon cycle in a fun coloring activity.
Prerequisites
  • Students should be familiar with the carbon cycle. 
  • The teacher must download and print the PDF document with the coloring task and prepare the coloring utensils for the students.
Differentiation & Implementation
  • This activity can be used as a hook for a lesson about the carbon cycle.
  • The teacher could divide students into groups based on the image and use an object that can be passed around to demonstrate the movement of carbon dioxide from one group to another for various activities. 
  • Students could add in additional activities that contribute to the carbon dioxide cycle.
  • Another recommended resource is the Carbon Cycle Game.

From the scientist review

This resource visualizes some of the important aspects of the carbon dioxide cycle, from the burning of fossil fuels to deforestation to photosynthesis. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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