Photosynthesis for Middle School – Activities, Worksheets, and Reading Passage

“

This is the third lesson in the unit Plants and Photosynthesis. It can be taught as a stand-alone lesson or as part of the larger unit.

In the unit, students are observing the phenomenon of watching a plant grow from seed. The phenomenon will be used to help students understand how plant systems are able to change matter into food we rely on for energy.

In this lesson, students will view two new phenomena, a plant cell under a microscope and a teacher demo lab in which starches are identified using iodine. Observation from these final two activities will give students a basis to understand the workings of the cell as it converts water and carbon dioxide to sugar.

Materials you will need for this lesson include:

small piece of celery stalk

dissection tool or razor blade

microscope slide

microscope cover lens

microscope

coloring agent (optional)

Iodine

petri dishes or other small, clear containers

dropper

leaf from a plant

boiling water

ethanol (ethyl alcohol)

Other materials for testing (both starch-based and non-starched based items) such as:

milk, cornstarch mixed with water, apple slices, potato slices, sugar mixed with water.

OPTIONAL Materials for modeling project- poster paper; art materials such as crayons, markers and paints; maker space materials for 3D modeling, tape, glue, paper, etc.

Included in this PDF:

Lab data collection worksheet and instructions for 1 student lab

Lab data collection worksheet and instructions for 1 teacher demo lab

Interactive Reading Passage

Handouts, rubrics, and instructions for a differentiated modeling assessment

Next Generation Science Standards:

MS-LS1-6 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

MS-LS1-3 Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.

Grade Level:

6-8

Teaching Days:

4-5

Want the inside track to all my latest products and ideas for the classroom? Be sure to follow me on TpT or on Pinterest and check out my website!

Did you know? Your feedback is greatly appreciated AND it earns you TpT credit towards future purchases!

“