For many years, Earth science concepts have been taught as thematic units with lessons in nice, neat chapter packages complete with labs and notes. But compartmentalized Earth science no longer exists, and implementing teaching methods that support student development of holistic understandings can be a time-consuming and difficult task. While participating in the National Science Foundation's Global Watershed GK-12 program, the authors found themselves reading current events in preparation for a "human impacts" lesson plan. It was during this search that they found a model that easily demonstrates Earth systems and their interactions, one that teaches conceptualizing Earth as a holistic system. While using the model to teach human impacts, they realized students' ability to apply the idea of four Earth systems continually interacting was valuable for additional Earth science learning. In diverse ways, they began incorporating the model into existing lessons. In this article, the authors begin with a brief description of the model's history and how the model is supported by teaching standards. Next they provide an overview of the ways they introduced the model into their classroom. And finally, they conclude with ways they incorporated the model into additional eighth-grade Earth science curricula. (Contains 4 figures and 2 online resources.)