ALEX Lesson Plan Resources

ALEX Lesson Plans  
Subject: English Language Arts (5), or Science (5)
Title: Photosynthesis: Let's Talk About It
Description: 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.

Subject: Science (5)
Title: Fascinating Photosynthesis
Description: 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.