Lesson Plan

Summary

In this lesson, students will explore a simple, but key, biochemical reaction: photosynthesis. Many students (and adults) have the misconception that the disciplines of chemistry and life science are completely separate, and many students who are attracted to life sciences are less attracted to chemistry and vice versa. This divide can be bridged by showing students how the two overlap. Students will explore the concept of photosynthesis and build molecules of water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and oxygen (O₂). They then explore plant cells and create models of plant cells and leaves. Finally, students will model the process of photosynthesis using their molecule models and leaf models.

Grade Levels

Elementary school

Standards

NGSS and Cross-Disciplinary Extensions addressed in this lesson.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to

• Describe the importance of plants on Earth.
• Identify the reactants (carbon dioxide and water) and products (oxygen and sugar) of photosynthesis.
• Explain the importance of carbon dioxide, water, and sugar to plants.
• Describe where photosynthesis occurs.

Chemistry Topics

This lesson supports students’ understanding of the following topics in chemistry:

• Matter
• Chemical changes
• Reactions
• Conservation of matter
• Photosynthesis

Time

Engage: 10 minutes
Explore A: 15 minutes
Explore B: 15  minutes
Explore C: 30 minutes
Explore D: 20 minutes
Explain: 20–60 minutes

Materials

Engage

• Photos of plant cells, chloroplasts

Molecule Models

• Photosynthesis Molecules handout
• Diagrams of CO₂, H₂O, and O₂ molecules
• Scissors
• Clear tape
• Glue
• Possible bonding supplies:  pipe cleaners cut into five pieces or black construction paper cut into strips, paper clips with small bar magnets or small round magnets
• Alternative: instead of paper models; students can make 3-D models using small magnetic balls in three colors

Plant Cell & Leaf Models

For each group:

• 2 paper lunch bags
• Construction paper (any color)
• Small balloon
• 2 pieces of green construction paper, 2 ¼”× 7 ½”
• Small envelope or sheet of paper to make an envelope

Photosynthesis Model

• Flashlight
• Plant cell and leaf models
• Molecule models
• Science journal

Safety

• If using the purchased magnetic balls, inform the students that these are not candy and they are not to be placed in their mouths.

Vocabulary Terms

• Carbon
• Cell membrane
• Cell wall
• Chlorophyll
• Chloroplast
• CO₂
• Cytoplasm
• Element
• Glucose
• H₂O
• Molecule
• Oxygen
• Photosynthesis
• Stoma

Keywords

photosynthesis, glucose, chlorophyll, stoma, light reaction, pigment

Teacher Notes

Science Background

• Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction in which carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. The simplified balanced reaction for photosynthesis is

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy ⇾ C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Note, however, that the reaction is actually quite complex and involves a number of steps.

• Photosynthesis occurs within the chloroplasts of plant cells.

Download the Teacher Guide to view the rest of this lesson.

Downloads

• Teacher Guide.doc
• Teacher Guide.pdf
• Atom Cutouts.pdf
  
• Standards.pdf

Created by
2014 AACT Elementary School Content Writing Team

Start a Conversation About this Resource