Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

http://www.realtrees4kids.org/sixeight/letseat.htm

This website has different parts that are for different grade levels such as K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and then 9-12. The page that I would specifically use is classified for grades 6-8. The website is really to inform the reader about tree farming but in doing so the photosynthesis process is described. Even though the entire website is not focused on photosynthesis I think that reading a little about tree farming helps the photosynthesis process make more sense. The students would actually learn about one of the many results that photosynthesis produces. I like that the site introduces different vocabulary words and on the side of the information it gives you a definition. This website could be used as an introduction to the photosynthesis unit. A worksheet can be provided with the bolded vocabulary words and from reading the site and the sites definitions the students can come up with their own definition. Even if they are not able to fully understand the photosynthesis process by reading the information from this site, they should be able to talk about some of the things it takes to make the photosynthesis process work.

Photosynthesis

http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_photosynthesis.html

This website could be used with middle school students. It explains the photosynthesis process and even has a diagram to demonstrate how it works using the highlighted vocabulary in the site. With this site students could have an activity where they just focus on the bolded words and their definition along with what role they play in the photosynthesis process. Another activity could be having the students look at the diagram after reading about the process and drawing a diagram that they can understand better. This is also a great site for students to see the results of photosynthesis, so during class time they can take time to explore the site and learn specifically about plants and how they go through the process. Even though they will be able to explore and learn about the effect on plants the students still need to primarily focus on the photosynthesis process.

Photosynthesis

http://www.wartgames.com/themes/plants/photosynthesis.html

This website is also geared towards middle school students. The great thing about this site is that it has multiple links for the students to go to in order to learn different things about photosynthesis. Each link pinpoints something different about the process. A weakness about this site is that kids could get easily confused going through all the links so a way to solve that problem is to have an activity like the following. If this is done in the classroom the students can be broken up into small groups and each explore one link or the teacher can give each student a specific link. After the students have researched and learned more they should write down a few facts about what they learned from their link. If the teacher gave each student their individual link, all the same links can come together and share what they got out of it. Sharing in a group shows the different things that popped out at each student and because everyone may be different that does not mean that they are wrong. This activity practices picking out important ideas and sharing them with their peers.

Photosynthesis

http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/biocoach/photosynth/intro.html

This website is geared towards middle and high school students. The website gives a lot of structure to the photosynthesis process and walks the students through it step by step. Using this site I would break my class into groups and have them specifically focus on one step. The wording on the site is very bland so I would encourage the students to rephrase the steps using vocabulary that all the students could easily learn. Once all the groups have completed their rephrasing they will present to the class. This presentation should consist of easy ways to help the students remember the order of the photosynthesis process and how each step works. This activity also helps with sequence words.