In this activity, students learn about photosynthesis through a introductory video and three online activities. Along the way they learn to interpret diagrams that describe the process of photosynthesis, examine the ingredients and products of photosynthesis and identify producers and consumers in the food chain. Each activity has several quiz questions to check for understanding. There is also an online quiz covering all three activities.
These activities work best in a computer lab; however, students can be divided into groups on several classroom computers or the activity can be projected on a screen for the whole class.
Life Science is approximately 40% of the GED Science test, and 50% of the HiSET Science test.
Preparation
Make sure that the site is not blocked at your school. The videos come from Vimeo and some schools may block them.
Preview the Photosynthesis Video and decide if it is appropriate for your students.
Review each activity and the accompanying quizzes.
Decide how students will work on this activity. Will they work in a computer lab, in groups on classroom computers, or work as a class?
Put a link to the activities on the computer desktops or on a class Web site.
Teacher Tips
Students need time to process information. Be sure to give them time to take notes and review the material.
This activity can be adapted to any number of computers by having students work in groups or using it as a class activity and projecting the activity on the board.
If all your students have computers at home, you could assign watching the videos and the Activities for homework, then do the quiz in class. This is commonly known as "flipping the classroom."
There is some advertising on this site. Be sure to teach students how and why to avoid it.
More Ways
This Web site offers lessons on understanding what you read; studying and test prep; reading strategies; using the library; a few grammar topics; creative & personal writing; writing for work; vocabulary & dictionaries; basic math; ratios, averages & exponents; fractions, decimals & percentages; geometry; earth science, finance; earning & spending; and saving & investing
Program Areas
ABE: Adult Basic Education
ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation
Levels
Intermediate
High
View Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Engagement
Objective: Engage students and activate prior knowledge.
Students turn to their neighbor and discuss what they know about photosynthesis. Then add to whole group discussion.
Activity:
Quick Poll: Ask students what they know about plants and how they get their energy. Record responses on the board or a shared document.
Introduction
Objective: Provide context and introduce the topic of photosynthesis. Activity: Brief Lecture and Discussion
Explain that plants create their food through a process called photosynthesis.
Define key terms: photosynthesis, chlorophyll, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.
Show a brief teaser from the provided video to generate interest.
Presentation
Engagement Enhancement
Objective: Present the main concepts of photosynthesis. Activity: Video Viewing
CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCR Anchor 10 - Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
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View AI Reference
ChatGPT was used to rewrite this lesson in the WIPPEA format