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Lessons
Where Do Plants Get Their Food?
Discipline
Science
Grade
7
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Professional Commentary

This lesson engages students in thinking about the historical development of the scientific thinking as well as photosynthesis. Students are asked to design an experiment that replicates van Helmont's and are then asked to improve upon the procedure by considering how light is involved in photosynthesis.

Along with designing an experiment, this activity includes two excellent extensions that incorporate both writing and critical thinking skills. (author/cb/ts)


Next Generation Science Standards (2012)
Scientific and Engineering Practices
 
Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
 
Planning and carrying out investigations
 
Analyzing and interpreting data
 
Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
Crosscutting Concepts
 
Systems and system models
 
Energy and matter
 
Structure and function
Ohio Science Academic Content Standards (2010)
Science Inquiry and Application
Grade 7
Life Science
Cycles of Matter and Flow of Energy
1. 
Matter is transferred continuously between one organism to another and between organisms and their physical environments.
Ohio Science Academic Content Standards (2002)
Life Sciences
Benchmarks (6–8)
C.
Explain how energy entering the ecosystems as sunlight supports the life of organisms through photosynthesis and the transfer of energy through the interactions of organisms and the environment.
Benchmarks (9–10)
B.
Explain the characteristics of life as indicated by cellular processes and describe the process of cell division and development.
D.
Explain the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through biological and ecological systems (cellular, organismal and ecological).
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 7)
7.
Explain that photosynthetic cells convert solar energy into chemical energy that is used to carry on life functions or is transferred to consumers and used to carry on their life functions.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 10)
10.
Describe how cells and organisms acquire and release energy (photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, cellular respiration and fermentation).
National Science Education Standards
Life Science
Populations and ecosystems (Grades 5 - 8)