Photosynthesis Guided Inquiry Lesson

Anticipatory Set: Read “Lorax” by Dr. Seuss and have the students brainstorm/discuss the main ideas of the book. Try to lead the discussion into how plants produce the Oxygen that we breathe and use the CO2 we exhale. Discuss how plants also provide all the energy that each person uses.

Demonstration: Using an Elmo Projector and a CO2 indicator/software use a plant in a closed container and track the O2/CO2 concentrations in the container for a couple of light/dark cycles.

Materials: Wisconsin fast plants (or radish seeds), plant starter pellets, 3 heat lamps (per teacher), colored cellophane

Procedure: The students will complete the inquiry assignments as a table (groups of 4) for materials and space reasons.

1. The students will be given the Problem Statement “How does light intensity affect plant growth” or “How does light color affect plant growth.”

2. The students need to finish writing their PIT-BC for the problem statement they have chosen to test.

3. There will be 4 light intensity stations set up in the classroom: constant light, diurnal direct light, diurnal classroom light, dark.

For colored light they will need to set up a filter (colored cellophane) between the light source and their plants.

4. As groups, the students will grow their plants in starter pellets and place them in the appropriate location

5. Students will check/measure their plants every day at the beginning of class during the time we are doing other photosynthesis lessons.

6. When other photosynthesis lessons are completed, students will graph the results of their experiments

7. Using their graphs students will draw conclusions about how light intensity/light color affects photosynthesis (plant growth).

Closure: Discuss the factors that influence photosynthesis, the general process of photosynthesis, and its importance. Lead into the cellular respiration lessons by discussing our dependence on photosynthesis for life.


Photosynthesis PIT-BC

Problem Statement: How does ______affect plant growth? (light intensity or light color)

Instructions: ______

______

Then I Predict: ______

______

Because: ______

______

Data Table

Conclusions:______

______