Free 6th Grade Photosynthesis Process Lesson Plan

Topic: Photosynthesis process

Objectives & Outcomes

• understand the photosynthesis process and its role in the cycle of life
• be able to explain how carbon dioxide, water, and light are used in the photosynthesis process to produce oxygen and carbohydrates
• understand the importance of photosynthesis in maintaining a healthy environment

Materials

• seeds or saplings
• water
• light (sun or artificial)
• carbon dioxide (can be supplied in the form of a solution or a dry ice block)
• test tubes or transparent containers for the plants to be placed in
• graph paper for recording data
• pencils for recording data

Warm-up

• Have students draw a simple diagram of the process of photosynthesis, including the inputs (carbon dioxide, water, light), the process itself, and the outputs (oxygen, carbohydrates). Have them label each component with a word or short phrase that describes its role in the process.

Direct Instruction

• Begin by explaining that photosynthesis is a process by which plants use light energy to transform carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and carbohydrates.
• Emphasize that this is a vital process for all life on earth, because it provides us with oxygen, which we need to breathe, and it also provides us with food, which is essential for survival.
• Next, show students the photosynthesis models and explain how they represent the process of photosynthesis. Point out the key components of the process, such as the chlorophyll in the plant's leaves, which is what allows the plant to harvest the light energy, and the carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen, which are the inputs and outputs of the process.
• Use the handouts and other visual aids to go over the details of the process of photosynthesis, explaining each step and its role in the overall process. Emphasize the importance of each step and how they all work together to achieve the final result of creating oxygen and carbohydrates.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs or small groups and give them handouts with questions about photosynthesis.
• Have them work through the questions and provide answers, using the models and visual aids as a reference.
• Encourage them to ask questions if anything is unclear or if they need help understanding a concept.

Independent Practice

• Have students work on a project-based activity in which they design and conduct an experiment to test a hypothesis about the effects of a variable on the photosynthesis process.
• They can choose a variable to test (e.g. different levels of light, different levels of water availability) and conduct the experiment using the models and visual aids.
• They should record their observations and any findings, and then analyze their results to draw conclusions.

Closure

• Review the main points of the lesson and have students share their project-based experiments and findings.
• Ask students to apply what they have learned about photosynthesis to a real-world scenario and explain how they would use photosynthesis to help sustain life on earth.

Assessment

• Observe students during the guided and independent practice to assess their understanding of the topic.
• Collect and review the project-based experiments and findings for evidence of understanding.
• Administer a quiz or test to assess student learning.