ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 9 :

9 ) Construct an illustration to explain how plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into a storable fuel, carbohydrates, and a waste product, oxygen, during the process of photosynthesis.

[ELA2021] (5) 35 :

35. Write informative or explanatory texts using multiple sources to examine a topic, conveying ideas and information clearly and incorporating a strong organizational structure, relevant details, and elaboration.

[ELA2021] (5) 14 :

14. Write using grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases accurately, including those that signal contrasting ideas, additional information, and other logical relationships.

[ELA2021] (5) 7 :

7. Write routinely and independently for varied amounts of time.

This lesson will utilize the talking drawings strategy, in which students will begin the lesson by drawing a picture of a plant to illustrate how they think plants make their own food. Then, the teacher will introduce the process of photosynthesis using an interactive presentation to explain photosynthesis in a pictorial format. As the teacher describes the process, the students will create a scientifically accurate drawing of a plant engaging in photosynthesis. Lastly, students will create a writing piece that will describe the process of photosynthesis and construct a scientifically accurate illustration of the process of photosynthesis.

This lesson results from the ALEX Resource Gap Project.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 9 :

9 ) Construct an illustration to explain how plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into a storable fuel, carbohydrates, and a waste product, oxygen, during the process of photosynthesis.

In this lesson, students investigate photosynthesis through hands-on experiments, videos, and discussion of text. They work in small groups with picture cards to create a chart showing how plants transform carbon dioxide, water, and light energy into carbohydrates and oxygen. After working collaboratively, students will create their own diagrams of photosynthesis. Because plant observations must occur over time, this lesson will take several days to complete.

This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (4) 2 :

2 ) Plan and carry out investigations that explain transference of energy from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.

a. Provide evidence that heat can be produced in many ways (e.g., rubbing hands together, burning leaves) and can move from one object to another by conduction.

b. Demonstrate that different objects can absorb, reflect, and/or conduct energy.

c. Demonstrate that electric circuits require a complete loop through which an electric current can pass.

[SC2015] (4) 9 :

9 ) Examine evidence to support an argument that the internal and external structures of plants (e.g., thorns, leaves, stems, roots, colored petals, xylem, phloem) and animals (e.g., heart, stomach, lung, brain, skin) function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

[SC2015] (5) 8 :

8 ) Defend the position that plants obtain materials needed for growth primarily from air and water.

[SC2015] (5) 9 :

9 ) Construct an illustration to explain how plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into a storable fuel, carbohydrates, and a waste product, oxygen, during the process of photosynthesis.

Steve Trash teaches kids about science with fun and magic. The show is filmed in Alabama

Join Steve Trash for a deep dive into the world of plants. Learn what goes on inside plants, how they turn sunlight into energy, and why they are SO important. After that, explore how sound moves from one place to another as Steve demonstrates the secrets of sound waves.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 9 :

9 ) Construct an illustration to explain how plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into a storable fuel, carbohydrates, and a waste product, oxygen, during the process of photosynthesis.

In this lesson, students learn that plants make their own food by converting light energy into sugar (stored energy), which the plants then use to carry out their life processes. Students watch a video and do a Web activity to help them construct an understanding of photosynthesis.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 9 :

9 ) Construct an illustration to explain how plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into a storable fuel, carbohydrates, and a waste product, oxygen, during the process of photosynthesis.

The classroom resource provides a video that will describe the process of photosynthesis. In addition, there is a sing-along video that students can perform karaoke-style that will help them remember the steps of this process. After utilizing these two resources, the students can complete the short test to assess their understanding.