Cycles are important to our everyday lives. Have students draw a cycle of their typical Tuesday at school, and a cycle of their typical week. Discuss what would happen if every day or every week were completely different, that is without repeating pattern. Once any step in a cycle is disrupted, the cycle ceases or is altered. Discuss what is wrong with the following process.
Cycles ensure survival.
List on the board. The Cycle Game helps students understand the meaning of cycles in general, and recycling cycles in particular. Discuss which items on this list come from renewable resources. Divide the class into teams of four players. Make a stack of 3 by 5-inch note cards, each containing the name of one of the items from the cycle list.