Photosynthesis in the Classroom
In science, we’ve been studying all about plants. We’ve discussed the parts of plants and flowers. We’ve also talked about how plants need to produce their food to survive. This is done through a process called photosynthesis. We learned that photosynthesis involves sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. They use all of these to make something called glucose which is another word for sugar. This help to “feed” the plant!
To help us better understand how photosynthesis works, we played a game of photosynthesis tag. Each student had a role that they had to play (plant, sunlight, two hydrogens and an oxygen for water, carbon and two oxygens for carbon dioxide, glucose, and finally, humans). The goal of the game was for the plant to form a chain that included all of the things it needed to create food. It started with the plant needing to tag the sunlight so it could gain energy. They began the chain and together had to tag a water molecule which was formed by two hydrogens and an oxygen linked together. When water was tagged, hydrogen had to join the chain and the oxygen was released into the “atmosphere” where they were then chased by the humans. The plant, sunlight, and two hydrogens then had to chase after and tag carbon dioxide so it would be linked with the others. They now had everything they needed for photosynthesis. To complete the chain, they had to tag glucose which is the final product of photosynthesis. Below you can see some pictures of the important players of photosynthesis!
Plant Wordle
We also used a new site called Tagxedo to create a wordle in the shape of a plant. Students wrote down words that came to mind when they thought of plants. We then typed them into the site. After, we discussed why certain words come up more frequently why each of those words were so important for plants. Below, you can see our example. Remember you can click to make it larger!
What words come to mind when you think about plants?
What have you learned about plants that you didn’t know before?
Do you have a favorite type of plant?
Mr. Avery and Class,
I just joined the blog. I am learning to use a computer for the first time and your blog is my very first! Great job.
Don
Dear Mr. Avery’s Class,
Love the photosynthesis especially the “wordle”! You all are doing a wonderful job and I really enjoy this view of your class. I wish my fourth grade class had been this much fun and you learn as well. You have the best of both worlds!
Aunt Eileen
Dear Mr. Avery’s class,
I love the game about photosynthesis that the class played! Ariel, you made a great glucose molecule!
Sincerely,
Rebecca’s mom
Dear Stupendous Students,
A few of you seem to be wondering what my favorite plant is. My favorite plant is a little bit different than most peoples. Mine is Spanish moss. When I lived in Savannah, Georgia, it would hang down off the trees that were downtown. I thought it made everything look so nice!
Sincerely,
Mr. Avery
Dear Mr. Avery,
I saw Spanish moss when I went to Georgia too. It’s so interesting that it hangs down. I love Georgia. It has really warm weather and it never snows. My mom lived in Georgia and she said that she’d never seen snow. I went to Geogia to see my gandparents and my cousins. They thought that snow was fluffy. I said that it was firm and you can throw the snow and you wouldn’t get hurt. We went to a restaurant called The Rain Forest Cafe and there was fake Spanish moss. A fun fact is that if you touch it you will get all itchy and you would have to get medicine for it.
Sincerely,
Natalie
Dear Mr. Avery,
When it comes to flowers I think of bees, humming birds, and other kinds of flying and nectar sucking creatures. My favorite flowers are roses. Also, my mom’s favorite flowers are lillies. My step dad doesn’t have one because he says there all equally delightful. My mom said that he was too busy thinking about tractors and hockey to think about his favorite flower. I learned that plants turn the sun’s energy into glucose. That’s really interesting that a little plant like as tiny as a mouse can make enough food for itself. It’s amazing what such little things can do to make a big difference.
Your Awesome Student,
Natalie 🙂
Dear Mr. Avery,
My favorite type of plant is a sunflower. It is because it is bright and reminds me of summer. What is your favorite plant?
From,
Heston
Dear. Mr. Avery,
Under the photosynthesis tag post, one of the questions said what is your favorite plant so I am going to answer that question. My favorite plant is a carnation. I love the way carnations smell and how they look. What is your favorite plant? Well, I hope to here back from you soon. Have a nice day!
Your Friend,
Amanda 🙂
Dear Mr. Avery’s class,
I really loved the elapsed time video – very informative. I love the idea of a game to learn photosynthesis. When I was in fourth grade, we didn’t have fun learning like you do! I think it’s wonderful! Have a fun day.
Sincerely,
Amy (Natalie’s mom)
Dear Natalie’s Mom,
We’re glad you enjoyed our video. We were hoping that it would help other classes with elapsed time as well! Photosynthesis tag was a lot of fun. It was hard work but it definitely helped to teach us all the things a plant needed for photosynthesis.
We’re glad to hear from you! We love comments from parents!
Sincerely,
Mr. Avery’s Class
Dear Mr. Avery,
We did an amazing job on the wordle. Photosynthesis tag was very fun but tiring! Keep up the good work.
From,
Ariel
Dear Ariel,
I’m glad you enjoyed photosynthesis tag! Everyone worked really hard to try to complete their chains. Who knew science could be so exhausting?
Your Teacher,
Mr. Avery