Plant Power

Autumn doesn’t officially start until next week, but thesigns that the season is imminent are all around us. The nights have becomenoticeably cooler, and the days shorter. Trees are beginning to change color,and will soon begin shedding their leaves. For many plants, the lifespan of their hardworking leaves has come to anend; they will soon color, shrivel, and finally die. In some parts of thecountry, many plants will remain dormant for the winter, and only graduallyre-animate in the spring, when they unfurl new leaves.

Leaves are indeed the workhorses of plants. Through theprocess of photosynthesis, leaves absorb carbon dioxide and sunlight, andconvert the sun’s rays into energy in which to make food. Water, of course, isalso necessary for photosynthesis to occur, and is absorbed through the plant’sroots. Once energy is created, the plant is able to store reserves in itsleaves for future use, and emits oxygen as a waste product. It’s a remarkablyefficient process, and vital to the survival of nearly all living things.Animals and humans exhale carbon dioxide, which the plants take in, and in turnemit oxygen for our use. Photosynthesis occurs in some bacteria, algae, and inmost plants.

Leaves are, perhaps, the original solar panels. In autumn,the process of photosynthesis slows as the amount of daylight and precipitationdeclines. Food production wanes, and deciduous trees and other plants willessentially shut down over the winter months until increased sunlight andrainfall in the spring gradually prompt photosynthesis to resume. Fall is awonderful time to discuss the process by which leaves make energy, and thereare lots of materials available for classroom use.  This week’s selected resources onphotosynthesis are for a variety of grade levels, and some can be adapted fordifferent ages. I’ll also be featuring several new lessons and resources on photosynthesisdaily throughout the week on our Facebook and Twitter pages, so besure to take a look.

But What ISPhotosynthesis?

http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-09-08.4180484745

Subjects: Math, Botany, Biology

Grade: 3-5

In this lesson, students will experience aural, written,reading, and hands-on instruction in learning about photosynthesis. This lessonis a product of the College of Education at Western Michigan University.

Photosynthesis,Trees, and the Greenhouse Effect

http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-09-03.7139319487

Subjects: Geography, Botany, Ecology

Grade: 6-8

In this lesson, students will study photosynthesis and thentransfer their understanding of this topic to a consideration of how trees canhelp reduce the negative impacts of the greenhouse effect. They will read a Webpage describing the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide's role as a greenhousegas, and the role of humans in exacerbating this effect. This lesson wasproduced by National Geographic Xpeditions, which offers aplethora of tools, interactive adventures, and ideas relating to geography andthe world around us. In addition to lesson plans, the site offers daily globalnews, maps, interactive games for kids, and more. Lessons are aligned to the U.S.National Geography Standards.

Photosynthesis: UnitPlan

http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-09-08.9596193654

Subjects: Botany, Biology, Ecology

Grade: 9-12

In this series of eight lessons, students will learn aboutthe light reactions of photosynthesis, the physical plant characteristics andtheir functions, and the role of energy in the metabolic processes in plants.They will also apply their knowledge to the topics of world deforestation andglobal warming. This lesson was created by Dayna Wilhelm, a graduate student inEducation at Virginia Tech.

~Joann's Picks - September 15, 2011~