Links for Class Today--March 29, 2013

Good Morning Devils and Good Afternoon Tweeties!

Today in class you will be taking part in a webquest.  You should have a hard copy of the quest and here is the link to it:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/methuselah/photosynthesis.html#

Once you have completed the webquest you may see Mr. Greg for the Photosynthesis Section Summary reading and questions.  This will help reinforce what we have learned this week.

Also, check out these helpful links:

Helpful Animation

Photosynthesis Song!

Chloroplast and Chlorophyll

Remember that you can also take some time to work on your Photosynthesis A-Z sheet!

I'd also like to reinforce that both groups did a wonderful job this week!  We are very impressed with your work ethic, positive interaction, and critical thinking skills.

Enjoy the Weekend!

Photosynthesis Notes

Hi All,

Here are some notes from class from Megan and a very helpful illustration made by Callie Decker!  Hope you find this helpful.

Notes from Class

Equation Illustration


Also here is a helpful link with a interactive illustration of photosynthesis:  http://lifesciences.envmed.rochester.edu/movies/photosynthesis.swf

Wednesday, March 28, 2013

The Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis

Today in class, our scientists constructed and solved the equation for photosynthesis.  At the start of class we thought that the equation for photosynthesis was this....

BEFORE

After posting our formula, we discussed what molecules and which ones are present in photosynthesis (water, carbon dioxide, glucose, and oxygen).  We then broke down the equation from the ground up and, thanks to our new knowledge of coefficients and subscripts were able to construct the equation!!

AFTER:

JOB WELL DONE SCIENTISTS!

Stomata Lab Sheet

When you have finished your scientific drawings....

Click on the following link to reflect and answer the Pots-Lab Analysis questions:

Stomata Lab Sheet

Tuesday March 26, 2013

Photosynthesis: Exploring the Cell

During today's lesson we investigated further into the process of photosynthesis.  We even took a look into the plant cell and explored the organelles such as chloroplasts, which play a pivotal role in photosynthesis, by using the iCell app on the iPad.

Tonight, our scientists will be getting creative and finding a way to illustrate their understanding of photosynthesis.  Some options include drawing a picture (with color!), writing a story, or perhaps a poem.

At the end of class, Mr. Greg read "Oh Say Can you Seed?" from The Cat in the Hat's Reading Library.  Here are some clips from the book for inspiration!

Our students work to compare to Dr. Seuss.

Monday, March 25th 2013

Photosynthesis

Today in science we introduced our new unit on Photosynthesis.  Photosynthesis is the process by which a cell captures energy in sunlight and uses it to make its own food (a type of sugar called glucose).

As a class we focused on a few key terms to know when learning about photosynthesis such as autotrophs, heterotrophs, pigments, chlorophyll, and stomata.

Tomorrow, we will start to dive deeper into the the process of photosynthesis.  The reading for tonight will help reinforce our new understanding of how organisms get energy.  The reading will also introduce the two stages of photosynthesis.

Here is the link for the reading from our Science Explorer text.

We also took the time to watch this three minute video from Discovery's "Greatest Scientific Discovery" series and learned about the experiments that enabled Priestly and Ingenhousz to "discover" photosynthesis.