The process of photosynthesis is a plant's ability to convert light energy from the sun and carbon dioxide, into chemical food energy.
These 22 fun and interactive lessons, visual activities, lab activities, crafts, and experiments will help your middle school students understand the process of photosynthesis, the elements involved in this process, and the importance of photosynthesis to plants as well as to humans and animals.
1. Diagram To Illustrate The Process of Photosynthesis
This visual representation includes the elements involved during photosynthesis, like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, water, chloroplasts, carbohydrates, and sunlight.
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2. Photosynthesis Relay Game
This fun, hands-on activity is a great way to reinforce learning about the photosynthesis formula. This game can be simplified or made harder, depending on the students' age. All you need are two pieces of green construction paper, a copy of the pattern page, four envelopes, and two flashlights.
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3. Worksheet to Test Your Students' Knowledge of Photosynthesis
This engaging worksheet activity will help your students understand the concepts of photosynthesis.
Learn more: Live Worksheets
4. Fun Video To Help Your Students Understand The Formula For Photosynthesis
This engaging video by the Amoeba Sisters perfectly explains all the elements involved in photosynthesis and the formula for photosynthesis.
Learn more: Amoeba Sisters
5. Experiment To Measure The Rate of Photosynthesis
This hands-on activity will allow your students to explore and discover the importance of sunlight and carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis. You'll need baking soda, a plastic syringe, fresh spinach leaves, a hole punch, plastic cups, a timer, and a light source.
Learn more: Photosynthesis
6. Experiment To Determine Which Trees Produce The Most Oxygen
This fun activity will help your students to understand how leaves create oxygen and the chemistry behind photosynthesis. For this experiment, you will need small containers of the same size, several types of leaves, and a timer.
Learn more: STEAMsational
7. Learn About Pigments, Chlorophyll, And Leaf Chromatography
Chromatography is the process of separating a mixture by passing it through another medium. In this experiment, your students will learn about chlorophyll in leaves, which gives leaves their bright green color, and how it changes to a different color in Autumn. You will need rubbing alcohol, coffee filters, mason jars, craft sticks, tape, scissors, and colorful leaves.
Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands
8. Observe The Photosynthesis Process in a Spinach Leaf
In this experiment, your students will observe the photosynthesis process taking place, when you provide the spinach leaves with carbon dioxide, and exposure to sunlight. The leaves will release tiny oxygen bubbles. You'll need fresh spinach leaves, a hole puncher, baking soda, dish soap, a plastic syringe, 2 clear cups, a measuring spoon, and access to sunlight.
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9. Learn All About Cellular Respiration
On the opposite end of photosynthesis is cellular respiration. We use the energy (glucose), and oxygen that plants release during photosynthesis, to create a form of energy, where we then release carbon dioxide and water, which plants need to make their own food, and so the cycle continues.
For this cellular respiration review activity, you'll need straws, 150 ml beakers, rubber bands, plastic wrap, bromothymol blue indicator solution, distilled water, a stopwatch, baking soda, and distilled vinegar.
Learn more: Science Buddies
10. Learn About a Plant Cell's Structure and Functions
This yummy, fun activity can be used for students in all grade levels and will teach your students all about the plant cell, and the different components that make up the cell.
Learn more: Research Parent
11. Fun Digital Lesson Bundle With Activities To Teach Concepts of Photosynthesis
This digital resource will help you save hours of lesson prep with its engaging resources and photosynthesis lessons.
Learn more: Glitter in Third
12. Hands-on Activities to Promote The Understanding of Photosynthesis
These printable resources will help solidify your students understanding of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and all the elements and processes involved.
Learn more: Science and Math with Mrs. Lau
13. Make Your Own Plant Cell
With this fun printable, your students will be able to create their very own plant cell and learn about all of the components and their names.
Learn more: Mrs. G's Classroom
14. Fun Craft to Demonstrate Photosynthesis
This beautiful craft will make learning about the components of photosynthesis more fun! This free printable is an easy way to review your students' knowledge or to introduce the topic to them. It can be modified to use with students of all ages by adding to it or making it easier.
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15. National Geographic's Resource Library Will Teach Your Students All About Photosynthesis
This Encyclopedic entry will teach your students all about chlorophyll, the process, light-dependent reactions, and different types of photosynthesis.
Learn more: National Geographic
16. Build a Working Photosynthesis Model
This activity is great for the upper grades or to challenge your students to delve deeper into the process. For this working model, you will need a lightbulb and accessories to make it work, card stock, a plant, labels, and soil.
Learn more: Craft Piller
17. 3-D Photosynthesis Tree Model
This fun project can be done at home or in class. It will help your students understand which parts of the plants perform which processes.
Learn more: Siena Homework
18. Video Lesson About Photosynthesis And Respiration
This video lesson explains the concept of photosynthesis and respiration and includes real-life examples and illustrations for easy retention.
Learn more: Moo Moo Math and Science
19. Online Resources to Teach Photosynthesis
This online resource contains explanations, background information, opportunities for exploration, and making connections.
Learn more: Kids Gardening
20. 5 Tips For Teaching Photosynthesis
These 5 tips can help you successfully teach the complex process of biochemical reactions, independent reactions, and the carbon cycle which are all involved in photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Learn more: Biology Roots
21. Photosynthesis in Aquatic Plants
This resource will help your students understand how photosynthesis takes place in aquatic plants and the importance of aquatic plants in our everyday lives.
Learn more: Carolina
22. Play a Carbon Cycle Game
This fun game will solidify any knowledge that your students have on photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and the carbon cycle. Use it as an introduction to the topic, or to end your lesson. No matter when you use it, it is sure to make learning fun.
Learn more: Holding in Place
Conclusion
Photosynthesis is such an important part of our lives, and it is imperative that your students know everything there is to know about it. Students need to learn how to be responsible when it comes to natural resources, and how these natural resources keep us alive.
These activities will help make your students informed, responsible members of the community.
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