How can you tell they’ve got it: The Carbon Cycle?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Draws or labels a diagram of the carbon cycle showing the main processes; Explains how photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; Explains how respiration, combustion, and decomposition return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere; Discusses how human activities (burning fossil fuels, deforestation) disrupt the carbon cycle. Or just try it together: If your child was asked where the carbon in a wooden table came from originally, could they trace its journey through the carbon cycle — from the atmosphere, through a plant, into the tree, and back out again?

Science Ecosystems & Habitats Ages 12–13

The Carbon Cycle

Your child can trace carbon on its journey. A plant takes it from the air. An animal eats the plant. Breathing, rotting, and burning send it back to the air.

In curriculum terms

Describe the carbon cycle, tracing carbon through photosynthesis, respiration, feeding, decomposition, and combustion, and explain the role of each process

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Draws or labels a diagram of the carbon cycle showing the main processes
Explains how photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Explains how respiration, combustion, and decomposition return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
Discusses how human activities (burning fossil fuels, deforestation) disrupt the carbon cycle

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Try this together

If your child was asked where the carbon in a wooden table came from originally, could they trace its journey through the carbon cycle — from the atmosphere, through a plant, into the tree, and back out again?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Matter Cycling in Ecosystemsages 10–11KS3 carbon cycle extends KS2 model of matter movement among plants, animals, decomposers and the environment

Photosynthesisages 11–12The carbon cycle's biological removal of CO₂ is via photosynthesis — that process must be understood to trace carbon through the cycle

Aerobic Respirationages 12–13The carbon cycle's return of CO₂ to the atmosphere via living things is through respiration — the aerobic respiration equation must be understood

Food Webs & Interdependenceages 11–12The carbon cycle involves organisms feeding, respiring, and decomposing — understanding food webs provides the biological context

The Carbon Cyclethis skill · ages 12–13

Unlocks

Earth's Atmosphere & CO2ages 12–14Atmospheric CO₂ and climate change connects to the carbon cycle already covered in Ecosystems & Habitats

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Biodiversity & Resilienceages 12–14 Chromosomes, Genes & DNAages 12–13 Evidence for Evolutionages 12–14 Extinction & Rapid Changeages 12–14

All Ecosystems & Habitats skills →