Description
Explore human population growth and resource use with NGSS MS-ESS3-4 aligned graphs, CER writing, and a hands-on simulation on Earth’s systems.
Engage your middle school students in discovering how human population growth impacts Earth’s systems!This complete lesson resource blends graph analysis, a hands-on Population Beans simulation, and CER writing practice to help students understand the connections between population growth, natural resource use, and environmental impact.
Aligned to NGSS MS-ESS3-4, students construct arguments using real-world data showing how increases in human population and per-capita resource use affect the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
What’s Included
- Teacher Slideshow: Visual introduction to human population growth, energy use, CO₂ emissions, and deforestation (editable)
- Population Beans Simulation: Interactive model showing how resource availability changes as population grows
- Student Graph Analysis Pages: 5 data-based activities with short-answer and CER prompts (Printable PDF and online in Google Slides)
- CER Practice Slide & Writing Frame: Support for writing evidence-based explanations (Printable PDF and online in Google Slides)
- Lesson Plan & Schedule: 3–4 day sequence with objectives, materials, and assessment options
- 10-Question Quiz and Answer Key
Skills Covered
- Interpreting data and graphs
- Cause and effect in Earth’s systems
- Analyzing resource use and population growth
- Constructing CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) arguments
- Connecting data to environmental change
Perfect For
- NGSS MS-ESS3-4
- Middle School Earth & Environmental Science
- Human Impact or Sustainability Units
- Data Analysis and Graphing Lessons
- No-Prep Substitute or Review Days
