Photosynthesis
Alicia A. Palmer
October 24, 2010
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Science
6th Grade
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
NCDPI Competency Goals and
Objectives
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Competency Goal 4: The learner will
investigate the cycling of matter.
4.03 Examine evidence that green plants
make food.
1)
Photosynthesis is a process
carried on by green plants and
other organisms containing
chlorophyll.
2)
2)During photosynthesis, light
energy is converted into stored
energy which the plant, in turn,
uses to carry out its life
processes.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
4.04 Evaluate the significance of
photosynthesis to other organisms:
1) The major source of atmospheric
oxygen is photosynthesis. 2)Carbon
dioxide is removed from the
atmosphere and oxygen is released
during photosynthesis. 3)Green
plants are the producers of food that
is used directly or indirectly by
consumers.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Lesson Objectives
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
In this lesson:
1. The students will review the concept
of photosynthesis.
2. The students will review information
on photosynthesis using a variety of
online websites.
3. Using their notes and information
gathered from websites, the students
will use PowerPoint to create a
graphic web demonstrating their
understanding of photosynthesis.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
National Educational
Technology Standards for
Students
(NET-S)
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative
thinking, construct knowledge, and
develop innovative products and
processes using technology.
Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to
generate new ideas, products,
or processes.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and
environments to communicate and
work collaboratively, including at a
distance, to support individual
learning and contribute to the learning
of others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and
publish with peers, experts, or
others employing a variety of
digital environments and
media.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural,
and societal issues related to
technology and practice legal and
ethical behavior. Students:
b. exhibit a positive attitude
toward using technology that
supports collaboration,
learning, and productivity.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Time
3 – 4 50 minute class periods
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
Computers With Internet Access
PowerPoint Software
Jump Drive For Each Group
Pencil
Science Journal
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Web Resources
•Real Trees 4 Kids
•Biology 4 Kids
•Photosynthesis from Academic Kids
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Introduction
• At the beginning of class, the
teacher will review the process of
photosynthesis. Show PowerPoint
slides, pictures, and diagrams of
the process so students can
visually see the explanations.
• Ask questions and have them
describe the process in their own
words.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Introduction (continued)
Introduction Questions:
1. What is the sun’s role in
photosynthesis?
2. How do plants absorb carbon dioxide
(CO2)
3. What is chlorophyll and what does it
do?
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Introduction (continued)
Have students to visit the following
websites to view videos on
photosynthesis :
• PBS: Illuminating Photosynthesis
• Video1 on Photosynthesis
• Video2 on Photosynthesis
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
REVIEW
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Understanding Photosynthesis
What role does it play in nature’s life cycle?



All energy on earth comes from the
sun.
We depend on plants, to provide this
energy to us.
Photosynthesis is the connecting
bridge between the sun and plants
that provides all life with energy.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
• We depend on:
– Plants
– Algae (underwater plants)
– Cyanobacteria (photosynthetic
bacteria)
• To provide us with energy.
• To provide us with oxygen.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
What is photosynthesis?
• A process plants use to make
their own food.
• Plants’ leaves contain a
chemical called chlorophyll.
• The chlorophyll (green color)
makes photosynthesis
possible.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
• Carbon dioxide and water are taken in
by plants
• Plants absorb light energy and convert
it to a usable form.
– ATP
• Energy is used to “fix” carbon dioxide
into sugar molecules
– Chemical energy
• Sugar is converted to starch and
stored for use by the plant, and by
animals when they eat plants.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
The chlorophyll absorbs the sunlight.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
What
happens in a
typical plant
leaf?
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
• Chloroplasts:
> Have 2 membranes.
The inner membrane is called the
thylakoid.
~
The thylakoid is folded and
looks like stacks of coins called
granum (grana singular).
~
Chlorophyll molecules are
embedded in the thylakoid
membrane
> The stroma is the space
surrounding the granum.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
The sunlight is combined with water,
Carbon Dioxide and nutrients from the soil.
CO2
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
The chlorophyll processes the
ingredients and makes sugar (plant
food) and oxygen.
Sugar + Air
O2
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Plants and animals need each
other to survive.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Animals including humans make the CO2
(carbon dioxide) plants need.
They (the plants) make the O2 (oxygen)
and food we need.
O2
CO2
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
PROCEDURES
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
• Explain to the class that they will be
completing a graphic web displaying
their understanding of photosynthesis.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
• Pair students in groups of 2-3 and
show them a very simple sample of
what the project will entail.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
• Go to the computer lab and have
the students use PowerPoint
create a graphic web with
pictures showing the process of
photosynthesis in detail.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
• After finishing their graphic webs, the
students will present them to the class.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Closure
• The students will be given peer
evaluation sheets to fill out for each
presentation and write 1 complete
paragraph explaining how the other
groups’ presentation helped them to
understand the concept of
photosynthesis.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
Assessment
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
1. The students will present their
graphic webs to the entire class.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
2.
Check graphic web for
understanding of the basic process
of photosynthesis, the organization
of the graphic web (should be
organized logically with links
showing correct relationships and
hierarchies), and it should show
sufficient detail, and links and
linking phrases should correctly
identify relationships.
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis
3.
The students will write 2 complete
paragraphs in their science journal
explaining why photosynthesis is
important to other living organisms.
There responses must include the
following vocabulary words:
photosynthesis, chlorophyll, carbon
dioxide, and oxygen. Also, include
responses to the following
questions: 1) Why you think talking
to plants might be beneficial? 2)Why
you think there are tree planting
programs in major cities in the U.S.?
Alicia Palmer
6th Grade
Photosynthesis