Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Photosynthesis

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is essential to establish a clear direction for the lesson and ensure that both the teacher and students have a shared understanding of what will be achieved. This section serves to define the learning goals, focusing on a deep understanding of the process of photosynthesis and its relevance to the environment. By setting these objectives, students will be better prepared for practical activities in the classroom, effectively applying previously studied concepts.

Main Objectives:

1. Understand the process of photosynthesis, identifying and explaining the light and dark stages, and the reactants and products of each.

2. Analyze the importance of photosynthesis for life on Earth, relating it to biogeochemical cycles and environmental balance.

Side Objectives:

1. Develop critical thinking skills by discussing practical and theoretical applications of photosynthesis.
2. Foster students' scientific communication skills as they participate in debates and presentations on the topic.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction serves to engage students and activate prior knowledge about the topic of photosynthesis. The proposed problem situations encourage students to think critically and apply what they already know about photosynthesis in practical and theoretical contexts. The contextualization, in turn, connects academic content with the real world, demonstrating the relevance of studying photosynthesis in everyday situations and in technological and environmental applications, thus increasing student interest and motivation in the topic.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine a scientist studying a new species of plant that seems to grow faster than other plants under similar light and temperature conditions. How could understanding photosynthesis help this scientist explain this phenomenon?

2. Consider an ecosystem where the population of marine algae is rapidly declining. How can knowledge of photosynthesis be crucial to understanding and potentially reversing this decline?

Contextualization

Photosynthesis is not only an essential process for plants, but it is vital for the maintenance of all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. For example, the Great Barrier Reef heavily relies on corals, which have symbiotic algae capable of performing photosynthesis and providing essential nutrients. Furthermore, recent studies show how photosynthesis can be applied in technology to produce clean energy, such as in the creation of bio-inspired solar cells that mimic the photosynthetic process of plants.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

The Development section is designed to allow students to practically and creatively apply the knowledge acquired about photosynthesis. Through interactive activities, they will explore photosynthesis in varied contexts, from solving a mystery in a fictional scenario to conducting real experiments to measure its effects. These activities aim to solidify students' theoretical understanding while developing teamwork, critical thinking, and scientific investigation skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Photosynthetic Adventure: The Mystery of the Shrinking Forest

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge of photosynthesis to identify and solve environmental problems in a fictional context, developing teamwork and critical thinking skills.

- Description: In this playful and immersive activity, students are divided into groups of up to 5 people and take on the role of environmental detectives. They will receive a 'map' describing a fictional forest where some species of trees are mysteriously shrinking. Utilizing their knowledge of photosynthesis, students must identify which environmental factors may be affecting the health of the plants and propose sustainable solutions.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the 'maps' containing information about the forest and the plants.

• Quickly discuss the environmental conditions presented on the map and how they may affect photosynthesis.

• Ask students to identify, based on the information from the map and their prior knowledge, which environmental factors may be contributing to the decline of the plants.

• Each group must prepare a short presentation (5 minutes) explaining their findings and proposing solutions to improve plant health.

• Conclude with a classroom discussion about the different proposals from the groups and the importance of photosynthesis for plant survival.

Activity 2 - Photosynthesis Theater

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop communication and creativity skills while reinforcing the understanding of different aspects of photosynthesis.

- Description: Students, in groups, create and present a short play that creatively and clearly explains the process of photosynthesis. Each group chooses a specific aspect of photosynthesis (such as light absorption or oxygen production) to dramatize, using simple sets and improvised costumes.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of no more than 5 people.

• Assign each group a specific aspect of photosynthesis to dramatize.

• Groups must quickly research their topic to ensure the scientific accuracy of the presentation.

• Each group creates a script and prepares their play, using materials available in the classroom.

• Conduct the presentations, allowing each group to explain their topic and link it to the overall process of photosynthesis.

• Conclude with a discussion about the different approaches and what each group learned about photosynthesis.

Activity 3 - Photosynthesis in Daily Life

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Experimentally understand the influence of environmental factors on photosynthesis and practice investigation and data interpretation skills.

- Description: In this practical activity, students explore how photosynthesis affects the environment around them. They investigate oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption under different lighting and temperature conditions, using plants in simple experiments.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Provide materials such as plants, lamps, thermometers, and containers to collect gases.

• Ask students to set up an experiment to measure the rate of oxygen production under different light and temperature conditions.

• Instruct students to record their observations and calculate the efficiency of photosynthesis under each tested condition.

• Each group prepares a brief report of their results, explaining how the changes in conditions affected the rate of photosynthesis.

• Conclude with a discussion about the importance of the results and how they apply to understanding the process of photosynthesis.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to consolidate learning, allowing students to articulate what they learned and how they applied the knowledge in practice. Group discussion helps reinforce the concepts of photosynthesis, as well as develop communication and argumentation skills. This moment also serves for the teacher to assess students' understanding and clarify any points that may have remained obscure during the activities.

Group Discussion

Start the discussion with a brief recap of the experiments and activities conducted. Ask students how they felt applying theoretical knowledge in practical situations and what challenges they encountered. Encourage each group to share their findings and proposed solutions, highlighting the different approaches and what they learned from their peers' presentations. Use this moment to emphasize the importance of photosynthesis in daily life and the environmental implications of understanding it.

Key Questions

1. What were the most surprising results of the experiments and how do they relate to what we learned about photosynthesis?

2. How can understanding photosynthesis help solve real-world environmental problems?

3. Are there aspects of photosynthesis that are still not fully understood? How can we investigate them?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage serves to solidify the knowledge acquired during the lesson, providing students with an integrated view of the topic. By summarizing and linking theory with practice, the teacher reinforces students' understanding and the applicability of the content. Moreover, discussing the importance of photosynthesis helps stimulate critical awareness of the relevance of the topic in the students' environmental and daily contexts.

Summary

In conclusion, the teacher should summarize the main points covered about photosynthesis, including the light and dark stages, the reactants and products, and the importance of the process for environmental balance. It is essential to recapitulate the discoveries made by students during practical activities, reinforcing the application of theoretical concepts in real and fictional scenarios.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was structured to connect the theory of photosynthesis with practices that simulate and explore its applications in various contexts. Through activities such as 'Photosynthesis Theater' and 'Photosynthetic Adventure', students were able to visualize and tangibly experience the processes they studied, reinforcing the connection between academic content and the real world.

Closing

Finally, it is crucial to highlight the relevance of photosynthesis in daily life and in environmental sustainability. Understanding this process not only enriches scientific knowledge but also empowers individuals to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the environment. Photosynthesis is the foundation of sustaining much of life on Earth, and its continuous study is vital to ensure the health of our planet.