Lesson 2.1:Photosynthesis
NGSS Standard:
Objective:
Students will learn about photosynthesis. They will be able to identify and demonstrate their knowledge of what is needed for photosynthesis and what is created as a result.
Prep
- Fill a couple large cups with tap water and a few large cups with sunflower seeds. Set aside to be used by the students when they need to fill up their food and water cups.
- Pull up the slides.
- Place red, and black colored pencils and/or markers at each table group.
Procedure
Introduction:
10 Minutes: What Is Photosynthesis?
1. Have a discussion with students about photosynthesis:
- -Where do plants get energy from? How do they produce food?
- What does photosynthesis mean?
- What part of a plant captures sunlight that the plant then uses to make energy?
Explanation:
5 Minutes: Learn About Photosynthesis
1.On the board, draw or show a Milkweed Plant diagram like the one shown below.
2. Have students talk to a partner to try and figure out what two things go into a plant that allow it to grow. Then ask for student responses.
- The answer should be: carbon dioxide, water and sunlight.
3. Have students talk to a partner to try and figure out what a plant makes from these three inputs that makes it grow. Then ask for student responses.
- The answer should be: energy in the form of sugar.
4. Have students talk to a partner to try and figure out what a plant released as a result of this process called photosynthesis. Then ask for student responses.
- The answer should be: Oxygen.
5. Talk to students about the relationship between a Milkweed Bug and the Milkweed Plant. Explain that the bug and all living beings rely on plants for oxygen, just as plants rely on organisms for carbon dioxide.
- Keep this diagram up on the board for the next activity.
Activity:
5 Minutes: Hand-Motions for Photosynthesis
1. Teach students the following motions using the slides to teach Photosynthesis. Have students say, "Water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide go into the plant to create energy and oxygen", as they do their hand movements. Repeat a few times, until students have learned the phrase and movement.
Water
- Wiggle fingertips as you move your arms vertically from at face level down to your chest.
Sunlight
- Create a circle with your arms above your head.
Carbon Dioxide
- Breathe air while motioning upwards towards your mouth with your hands.
Go into the plant
- Put your hand together so that they are in a praying positions and move your arms forward as if you are diving into something.
To create
- Fold both hands and make a stirring movement in front of your body.
Energy
- Rub your stomach with your hands
And Oxygen
- Breathe out while motioning downwards with your hands to show air leaving your body.
Closing
10 Minutes: Care Procedure and Observations
1. Pass out role tags to each table group (optional)
2. Have the "Supplier" from each table group grab their containers from the insulated coolers and bring them carefully to their table.
3. Have students carefully change and remove the plastic portion cups from the containers.
4.Have the "Waterer" and "Feeder" change the water and sunflower seeds.
5.Remind the "Escape Watch" students to use the paintbrushes to keep the insect in their containers.
6.Have students place the clean food and water cups back into the containers.
7.Give students about 5 minutes to write their observations. Encourage them to work with their table group to fill out this section.
- Show the Power Point slide of the different nymph stages of the insects.
8.Once students have completed their observations, ask them to clean up their space and have their "Supplier" return trays to the coolers according to labeled temperature.
9.Before ending, have students recite the photosynthesis phrase with movements once more.
Beyond the Experiment
- Growing Milkweed Plants
- HSS Connection: Chumash and the Milkweed Plant