write a short story about photosynthesis

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Short stories for kids, fleur and the photosynthesis.

Once upon a time, there was a white daisy called Fleur  who lived in a very big field full of other daisies. All the plants had a very important function in life, and that was to perform photosynthesis .

Fleur  was a very young plant, but she was also very intelligent because from the moment she was born she never stopped observing the actions of a yellow daisy that lived beside her.

One day, when she was just a little daisy, Fleur asked the yellow flower: “Yellow daisy, what’s photosynthesis? The other plants say that’s what we do.” And the yellow daisy answered: “Well, photosynthesis is when we plants absorb the light from the sun and water from the ground to feed ourselves and grow. That way we also help the nature maintain its balance.”

“Well, the plants on the ground are in charge of taking in a gas called carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and breathing out another gas called oxygen. That’s how our stalks and trunks and branches and leaves grow. In the sea, the algae and seaweed does the same. And that’s how humans have enough oxygen to breathe and live.” And that was how Fleur understood what photosynthesis was and what it was for.

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Stories for kids written by: www.shortstories.net (a pseudonym).

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5.1: Overview of Photosynthesis

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All living organisms on earth consist of one or more cells. Each cell runs on the chemical energy found mainly in carbohydrate molecules (food), and the majority of these molecules are produced by one process: photosynthesis. Through photosynthesis, certain organisms convert solar energy (sunlight) into chemical energy, which is then used to build carbohydrate molecules. The energy used to hold these molecules together is released when an organism breaks down food. Cells then use this energy to perform work, such as cellular respiration .

The energy that is harnessed from photosynthesis enters the ecosystems of our planet continuously and is transferred from one organism to another. Therefore, directly or indirectly, the process of photosynthesis provides most of the energy required by living things on earth. Photosynthesis also results in the release of oxygen into the atmosphere. In short, to eat and breathe, humans depend almost entirely on the organisms that carry out photosynthesis.

CONCEPT IN ACTION

Click the following link to learn more about photosynthesis.

Solar Dependence and Food Production

Some organisms can carry out photosynthesis, whereas others cannot. An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food. The Greek roots of the word autotroph mean “self” ( auto ) “feeder” ( troph ). Plants are the best-known autotrophs, but others exist, including certain types of bacteria and algae (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)). Oceanic algae contribute enormous quantities of food and oxygen to global food chains. Plants are also photoautotrophs, a type of autotroph that uses sunlight and carbon from carbon dioxide to synthesize chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates. All organisms carrying out photosynthesis require sunlight.

Heterotrophs are organisms incapable of photosynthesis that must therefore obtain energy and carbon from food by consuming other organisms. The Greek roots of the word heterotroph mean “other” ( hetero ) “feeder” ( troph ), meaning that their food comes from other organisms. Even if the food organism is another animal, this food traces its origins back to autotrophs and the process of photosynthesis. Humans are heterotrophs, as are all animals. Heterotrophs depend on autotrophs, either directly or indirectly. Deer and wolves are heterotrophs. A deer obtains energy by eating plants. A wolf eating a deer obtains energy that originally came from the plants eaten by that deer. The energy in the plant came from photosynthesis, and therefore it is the only autotroph in this example (Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)). Using this reasoning, all food eaten by humans also links back to autotrophs that carry out photosynthesis.

BIOLOGY IN ACTION: Photosynthesis at the Grocery Store

Major grocery stores in the United States are organized into departments, such as dairy, meats, produce, bread, cereals, and so forth. Each aisle contains hundreds, if not thousands, of different products for customers to buy and consume (Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\)).

Although there is a large variety, each item links back to photosynthesis. Meats and dairy products link to photosynthesis because the animals were fed plant-based foods. The breads, cereals, and pastas come largely from grains, which are the seeds of photosynthetic plants. What about desserts and drinks? All of these products contain sugar—the basic carbohydrate molecule produced directly from photosynthesis. The photosynthesis connection applies to every meal and every food a person consumes.

Main Structures and Summary of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis requires sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water as starting reactants (Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)). After the process is complete, photosynthesis releases oxygen and produces carbohydrate molecules, most commonly glucose. These sugar molecules contain the energy that living things need to survive.

The complex reactions of photosynthesis can be summarized by the chemical equation shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\).

Although the equation looks simple, the many steps that take place during photosynthesis are actually quite complex, as in the way that the reaction summarizing cellular respiration represented many individual reactions. Before learning the details of how photoautotrophs turn sunlight into food, it is important to become familiar with the physical structures involved.

In plants, photosynthesis takes place primarily in leaves, which consist of many layers of cells and have differentiated top and bottom sides. The process of photosynthesis occurs not on the surface layers of the leaf, but rather in a middle layer called the mesophyll (Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\)). The gas exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen occurs through small, regulated openings called stomata.

In all autotrophic eukaryotes, photosynthesis takes place inside an organelle called a chloroplast. In plants, chloroplast-containing cells exist in the mesophyll. Chloroplasts have a double (inner and outer) membrane. Within the chloroplast is a third membrane that forms stacked, disc-shaped structures called thylakoids. Embedded in the thylakoid membrane are molecules of chlorophyll, a pigment (a molecule that absorbs light) through which the entire process of photosynthesis begins. Chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of plants. The thylakoid membrane encloses an internal space called the thylakoid space. Other types of pigments are also involved in photosynthesis, but chlorophyll is by far the most important. As shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\), a stack of thylakoids is called a granum, and the space surrounding the granum is called stroma (not to be confused with stomata, the openings on the leaves).

ART CONNECTION

On a hot, dry day, plants close their stomata to conserve water. What impact will this have on photosynthesis?

The Two Parts of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis takes place in two stages: the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. In the light-dependent reactions, which take place at the thylakoid membrane, chlorophyll absorbs energy from sunlight and then converts it into chemical energy with the use of water. The light-dependent reactions release oxygen from the hydrolysis of water as a byproduct. In the Calvin cycle, which takes place in the stroma, the chemical energy derived from the light-dependent reactions drives both the capture of carbon in carbon dioxide molecules and the subsequent assembly of sugar molecules. The two reactions use carrier molecules to transport the energy from one to the other. The carriers that move energy from the light-dependent reactions to the Calvin cycle reactions can be thought of as “full” because they bring energy. After the energy is released, the “empty” energy carriers return to the light-dependent reactions to obtain more energy.

The process of photosynthesis transformed life on earth. By harnessing energy from the sun, photosynthesis allowed living things to access enormous amounts of energy. Because of photosynthesis, living things gained access to sufficient energy, allowing them to evolve new structures and achieve the biodiversity that is evident today.

Only certain organisms, called autotrophs, can perform photosynthesis; they require the presence of chlorophyll, a specialized pigment that can absorb light and convert light energy into chemical energy. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and water to assemble carbohydrate molecules (usually glucose) and releases oxygen into the air. Eukaryotic autotrophs, such as plants and algae, have organelles called chloroplasts in which photosynthesis takes place.

Art Connections

Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\): On a hot, dry day, plants close their stomata to conserve water. What impact will this have on photosynthesis?

Levels of carbon dioxide (a reactant) will fall, and levels of oxygen (a product) will rise. As a result, the rate of photosynthesis will slow down.

Contributors and Attributions

Samantha Fowler (Clayton State University), Rebecca Roush (Sandhills Community College), James Wise (Hampton University). Original content by OpenStax (CC BY 4.0; Access for free at https://cnx.org/contents/b3c1e1d2-83...4-e119a8aafbdd ).

• Biology Article

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a process by which phototrophs convert light energy into chemical energy, which is later used to fuel cellular activities. The chemical energy is stored in the form of sugars, which are created from water and carbon dioxide.

Table of Contents

• What is Photosynthesis?
• Site of photosynthesis

Photosynthesis definition states that the process exclusively takes place in the chloroplasts through photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotene and xanthophyll. All green plants and a few other autotrophic organisms utilize photosynthesis to synthesize nutrients by using carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. The by-product of the photosynthesis process is oxygen.Let us have a detailed look at the process, reaction and importance of photosynthesis.

What Is Photosynthesis in Biology?

The word “ photosynthesis ” is derived from the Greek words  phōs  (pronounced: “fos”) and σύνθεσις (pronounced: “synthesis “) Phōs means “light” and σύνθεσις   means, “combining together.” This means “ combining together with the help of light .”

Photosynthesis also applies to other organisms besides green plants. These include several prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria, purple bacteria and green sulfur bacteria. These organisms exhibit photosynthesis just like green plants.The glucose produced during photosynthesis is then used to fuel various cellular activities. The by-product of this physio-chemical process is oxygen.

A visual representation of the photosynthesis reaction

• Photosynthesis is also used by algae to convert solar energy into chemical energy. Oxygen is liberated as a by-product and light is considered as a major factor to complete the process of photosynthesis.
• Photosynthesis occurs when plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Leaves contain microscopic cellular organelles known as chloroplasts.
• Each chloroplast contains a green-coloured pigment called chlorophyll. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules whereas carbon dioxide and oxygen enter through the tiny pores of stomata located in the epidermis of leaves.
• Another by-product of photosynthesis is sugars such as glucose and fructose.
• These sugars are then sent to the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds. In other words, these sugars are used by the plants as an energy source, which helps them to grow. These sugar molecules then combine with each other to form more complex carbohydrates like cellulose and starch. The cellulose is considered as the structural material that is used in plant cell walls.

Where Does This Process Occur?

Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis in plants and blue-green algae.  All green parts of a plant, including the green stems, green leaves,  and sepals – floral parts comprise of chloroplasts – green colour plastids. These cell organelles are present only in plant cells and are located within the mesophyll cells of leaves.

Also Read:  Photosynthesis Early Experiments

Photosynthesis Equation

Photosynthesis reaction involves two reactants, carbon dioxide and water. These two reactants yield two products, namely, oxygen and glucose. Hence, the photosynthesis reaction is considered to be an endothermic reaction. Following is the photosynthesis formula:

Unlike plants, certain bacteria that perform photosynthesis do not produce oxygen as the by-product of photosynthesis. Such bacteria are called anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. The bacteria that do produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis are called oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria.

Structure Of Chlorophyll

The structure of Chlorophyll consists of 4 nitrogen atoms that surround a magnesium atom. A hydrocarbon tail is also present. Pictured above is chlorophyll- f,  which is more effective in near-infrared light than chlorophyll- a

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts of the  plant cell   and in the mesosomes of cyanobacteria. This green colour pigment plays a vital role in the process of photosynthesis by permitting plants to absorb energy from sunlight. Chlorophyll is a mixture of chlorophyll- a  and chlorophyll- b .Besides green plants, other organisms that perform photosynthesis contain various other forms of chlorophyll such as chlorophyll- c1 ,  chlorophyll- c2 ,  chlorophyll- d and chlorophyll- f .

Also Read:   Biological Pigments

Process Of Photosynthesis

At the cellular level,  the photosynthesis process takes place in cell organelles called chloroplasts. These organelles contain a green-coloured pigment called chlorophyll, which is responsible for the characteristic green colouration of the leaves.

As already stated, photosynthesis occurs in the leaves and the specialized cell organelles responsible for this process is called the chloroplast. Structurally, a leaf comprises a petiole, epidermis and a lamina. The lamina is used for absorption of sunlight and carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

Structure of Chloroplast. Note the presence of the thylakoid

“Photosynthesis Steps:”

• During the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide enters through the stomata, water is absorbed by the root hairs from the soil and is carried to the leaves through the xylem vessels. Chlorophyll absorbs the light energy from the sun to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
• The hydrogen from water molecules and carbon dioxide absorbed from the air are used in the production of glucose. Furthermore, oxygen is liberated out into the atmosphere through the leaves as a waste product.
• Glucose is a source of food for plants that provide energy for  growth and development , while the rest is stored in the roots, leaves and fruits, for their later use.
• Pigments are other fundamental cellular components of photosynthesis. They are the molecules that impart colour and they absorb light at some specific wavelength and reflect back the unabsorbed light. All green plants mainly contain chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids which are present in the thylakoids of chloroplasts. It is primarily used to capture light energy. Chlorophyll-a is the main pigment.

The process of photosynthesis occurs in two stages:

• Light-dependent reaction or light reaction
• Light independent reaction or dark reaction

Stages of Photosynthesis in Plants depicting the two phases – Light reaction and Dark reaction

Light Reaction of Photosynthesis (or) Light-dependent Reaction

• Photosynthesis begins with the light reaction which is carried out only during the day in the presence of sunlight. In plants, the light-dependent reaction takes place in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.
• The Grana, membrane-bound sacs like structures present inside the thylakoid functions by gathering light and is called photosystems.
• These photosystems have large complexes of pigment and proteins molecules present within the plant cells, which play the primary role during the process of light reactions of photosynthesis.
• There are two types of photosystems: photosystem I and photosystem II.
• Under the light-dependent reactions, the light energy is converted to ATP and NADPH, which are used in the second phase of photosynthesis.
• During the light reactions, ATP and NADPH are generated by two electron-transport chains, water is used and oxygen is produced.

The chemical equation in the light reaction of photosynthesis can be reduced to:

2H 2 O + 2NADP+ + 3ADP + 3Pi → O 2 + 2NADPH + 3ATP

Dark Reaction of Photosynthesis (or) Light-independent Reaction

• Dark reaction is also called carbon-fixing reaction.
• It is a light-independent process in which sugar molecules are formed from the water and carbon dioxide molecules.
• The dark reaction occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast where they utilize the NADPH and ATP products of the light reaction.
• Plants capture the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through stomata and proceed to the Calvin photosynthesis cycle.
• In the Calvin cycle , the ATP and NADPH formed during light reaction drive the reaction and convert 6 molecules of carbon dioxide into one sugar molecule or glucose.

The chemical equation for the dark reaction can be reduced to:

3CO 2 + 6 NADPH + 5H 2 O + 9ATP → G3P + 2H+ + 6 NADP+ + 9 ADP + 8 Pi

* G3P – glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate

Calvin photosynthesis Cycle (Dark Reaction)

Also Read:  Cyclic And Non-Cyclic Photophosphorylation

Importance of Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis is essential for the existence of all life on earth. It serves a crucial role in the food chain – the plants create their food using this process, thereby, forming the primary producers.
• Photosynthesis is also responsible for the production of oxygen – which is needed by most organisms for their survival.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is photosynthesis explain the process of photosynthesis., 2. what is the significance of photosynthesis, 3. list out the factors influencing photosynthesis., 4. what are the different stages of photosynthesis, 5. what is the calvin cycle, 6. write down the photosynthesis equation..

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Please What Is Meant By 300-400 PPM

PPM stands for Parts-Per-Million. It corresponds to saying that 300 PPM of carbon dioxide indicates that if one million gas molecules are counted, 300 out of them would be carbon dioxide. The remaining nine hundred ninety-nine thousand seven hundred are other gas molecules.

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The simple story of photosynthesis and food - Amanda Ooten

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Photosynthesis is an essential part of the exchange between humans and plants. Amanda Ooten walks us through the process of photosynthesis, also discussing the relationship between photosynthesis and carbohydrates, starch, and fiber -- and how the air we breathe is related to the food we ingest.

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High school biology - NGSS

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MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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• Children's book illuminates photosynthesis

Children's book illuminates photosynthesis

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An MIT ocean microbiologist and a Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator have teamed up to produce a lavishly illustrated children's book that explains how the sun creates life on Earth through photosynthesis.

Penny Chisholm , the Lee and Geraldine Martin Professor of Environmental Studies in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, provided the science background for "Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life," which was co-authored and illustrated by Molly Bang. The book is designed to help children grow up with a better understanding of how plants use the sun's energy to photosynthesize, turning water and carbon dioxide in the air into carbohydrates and releasing the oxygen that makes it possible for humans -- and countless other creatures -- to exist.

"Photosynthesis is arguably the most important phenomenon on Earth," Chisholm says, "Yet few people understand it. I've been on a mission to educate the public about how life works for some time, and decided the best way to get the word out -- besides teaching ecology at MIT -- is through a set of children's books. Molly was eager to take on the challenge."

Chisholm is well known for the 1988 discovery, with colleagues from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, of a tiny ocean microbe called Prochlorococcus, which is responsible for a significant fraction of the photosynthesis in the oceans.

Narrated by a wise and kindly sun, "Living Sunlight" explains photosynthesis in pictures and words simple enough for young children and their parents to understand. Notes at the back of the book add details about the images and scientific concepts that a teacher or parent could use to make the book a good primer for older children, as well. Additional notes clarify that a few oversimplifications were necessary to help young readers grasp the concepts.

Bang is author and illustrator of 30 children's books, including award-winning "The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher," "Ten, Nine, Eight" and "When Sophie Gets Angry -- Really, Really Angry."

"Living Sunlight" is the second in a Scholastic series about the sun's energy. The co-authors plan at least two more books, which will focus on oceans and the Earth's carbon cycle.

A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on March 18, 2009 (download PDF) .

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Story Arcadia

Photosynthesis Poem: Dance of Light and Green

Dance of Light and Green In the garden, a dance of light and green As leaves reach for the sun’s warm embrace Photosynthesis, a miracle unseen A symphony of life in every trace

The chlorophyll, a painter’s brush so fine Capturing sunlight with each delicate stroke Creating energy from the divine A masterpiece of nature, no word spoke

Oxygen released, a gift to all Breathing life into every living thing A universal rhythm, nature’s call Connecting us in this dance of spring

So let us marvel at this wondrous sight And cherish the magic of photosynthesis For in its beauty, we find pure delight And in its power, we find our connectedness. Commentary and Analysis The poem “Dance of Light and Green” celebrates the beauty and wonder of photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. The central themes of the poem revolve around the interconnectedness of all living things, the power of nature, and the awe-inspiring miracle of photosynthesis.

The poet uses various literary devices to convey these themes. The use of personification in describing leaves reaching for the sun’s embrace and chlorophyll as a painter’s brush adds a sense of vitality and agency to nature. The imagery created by these devices helps to emphasize the beauty and harmony found in the natural world.

The rhyme scheme in each quatrain follows an ABAB pattern, contributing to a sense of rhythm and musicality that mirrors the dance-like quality described in the title. This structure, combined with regular meter and consistent line length, creates a sense of balance and order that reflects the harmonious relationship between light and green.

In terms of historical and cultural context, this poem can be seen as part of a long tradition in literature celebrating nature’s beauty. It also reflects a growing awareness in modern times about environmental issues and our dependence on natural processes like photosynthesis for life.

One key interpretation within the poem is found in lines 9-12: “Oxygen released, a gift to all / Breathing life into every living thing / A universal rhythm, nature’s call / Connecting us in this dance of spring.” These lines underscore how photosynthesis sustains all life on Earth by producing oxygen—a vital element for human survival—and how it connects all living beings through its universal rhythm.

Overall, “Dance of Light and Green” offers readers an opportunity to pause and appreciate the intricate dance between light and greenery that sustains life on our planet. Through its use of vivid imagery, structured form, and thematic depth, this poem invites us to marvel at nature’s wonders while also recognizing our place within it.

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33 Writing Prompts About Plants

Plants, trees, and flowers are all around us. They look beautiful, but they also serve an important purpose in our ecosystem.

Below, we’ve provided a list of plant-themed writing prompts to help you explore the plants around our world, and think creatively about what they mean to us.

Using This Guide

You can use this guide however you’d like to inspire your writing. As long as you’re writing something, you’re doing it right.

But if you need a little help getting started, try one of these ideas below:

• Challenge yourself to use one writing prompt each day for a week—or even a month!
• Pick your favorite flower, and use the number of letters in its scientific name to pick your prompt.
• Ask the person sitting to your left which prompt you should use.

Plant Prompts

• Write a story from the point of view of a butterfly looking for the perfect flower.
• Research a critically endangered plant , and write a couple of paragraphs about it.
• Write an acrostic poem using the word “garden”.
• Rewrite the process of photosynthesis in a nonsensical way.
• Write a poem or short story using the following words: bloom, roots, sunlight, seed
• If you could grow a garden, what would you grow? Why?
• Why is logging and tree thinning an important part of the life cycle of a forest?
• Write a story with a plant or flower as a symbol for something special.
• What kind of houseplant is your favorite? Why?
• What is your favorite flower? What makes it special to you?
• Write a story about a flower trying to bloom in a dark forest.
• Research an unusual plant or flower , and write 2-4 paragraphs about it.
• Write a story where something other than flowers is given on a special occasion.
• Write a poem about two flowers communicating with each other from across the garden.
• Write a poem or short story using the following words: lush, unique, breeze, timeless
• Would you rather spend your day in a quiet forest or a lush meadow? Why?
• Why are rainforests so important to our planet?
• Which plant smell is your favorite? Why?
• What plant do you think symbolizes your life? Explain.
• Plants can be used in medicine, cooking, art, and more. Write about a unique way you could use plants in your home.
• Read a children’s book about plants , and write a detailed review.
• Write an acrostic poem using the word “botany”.
• Research the flower(s) that represents your birth month . Describe the flower(s) and their significance.
• Do you prefer the budding trees of spring or the colorful trees of fall? Why?
• Write a few paragraphs about a plant or flower in mythology .
• Write a story about a gardener who has a pink thumb instead of a green thumb.
• Write 2-3 paragraphs about a real plant that has a funny name .
• What are some ways we can use plants in art? Use examples.
• Visit a local botanical garden, and write 3-5 paragraphs about your experience.
• Who is your favorite plant Pokemon? Why?
• Create a new plant Pokemon. What does it look like? What are its abilities?
• There are many superheroes with plant-related abilities. Create a new plant-manipulating superhero. What is their name? What are their abilities?

Looking For More?

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We even have resources for parents and teachers, so they can help you become the writer you were meant to be.

If you’re looking for a specific list and can’t find it, reach out and let us know. We love to hear your ideas!

Free Printables , Plants

Photosynthesis for Kids

It’s February and there’s about ten inches of snow in my yard right now, but we’re just wrapping up our study of plants. The middle of winter might not be the ideal time to learn about plants, but that’s what my kiddos asked to learn about. So, plants it was!  Over the next several posts, I’ll be sharing about some things we incorporated into our plant study.  I thought I’d start off by sharing about teaching photosynthesis for kids in the lower primary grades.

While photosynthesis is a big word, it doesn’t mean that young students can’t understand the very basics of the process.  I think it’s a good idea to begin by talking about what exactly this large word means.  The word is made up of two parts:  photo-meaning light, and synthesis-meaning to put together, compose, arrange.  In a nutshell, during photosynthesis plants are using light to put something together. But what are they putting together and why?

Here’s how I taught the concept to my own kids age 9 and 6:

My introduction sounded something like this: “Plants are living things, and all living things need food for energy.  We make food on the outside  of our body in the kitchen. Then, our body gets the energy it needs from the food we eat once it’s digested.  Plants are chefs just like us, except their kitchens are inside them!  As a matter of fact, their kitchens are in their leaves in tiny rooms called chloroplasts.”

Next, we did a hands-on demonstration of the process. I used a small muffin tin and cut holes out of a piece of green construction paper to make a chloroplast model.  I explained that the chloroplasts are great cooks and only need 3 ingredients for their special recipe: water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight.  We placed water into two of the holes of the muffin tin, added 2 light bulbs to represent sunlight, and then 2 small balloons we blew up because we breathe out carbon dioxide.

Then, we placed our chloroplast into the oven and while I didn’t turn on the oven, I did turn on the oven light to act like the sun. I asked them how long they thought the process of photosynthesis took. They both guessed around three minutes, so we set our oven timer for 3 minutes.  (It’s actually nanoseconds, which we discussed later!)

While they were working on something else, I took the muffin tin out and filled it with sugar and small balloons labeled “oxygen”.  When the timer went off, it was time to reveal what the chloroplast has been cooking up!

Those three little ingredients turned into two very important things: sugar and oxygen.  The sugar is the plant’s food and source of energy. Oxygen is not important to the plant so it releases it into the air, but it’s vital to us!  We breathe in this oxygen that the plant gives off!

I brought back up the word “photosynthesis” and our beginning definition: plants using light to put something together.  Now, we knew and discussed the what and why part.  In photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to put together carbon dioxide and water to make their own food (sugar) and oxygen.

This cooking demonstration is an easy, fun, and concrete way to help kids understand the concept of photosynthesis.

But, we didn’t stop there!

We learned and sung a song I made up about photosynthesis to help us remember all the steps.  It’s sung to the tune of The Addam’s Family theme song.  You can find a karaoke version here on YouTube.  It’s just the instrumental music of the song that you can play so your students can sing along with this photosynthesis song!

Finally, I had them complete this printable that we put in a plant book we made throughout our unit.  (More on that book in coming posts!)

Baking, Singing, Coloring, and Pasting…these are all a great recipe for teaching photosynthesis for kids in lower elementary grades. You can download the song and worksheet printable FREE by clicking on the picture below.  I hope these ideas make learning about and understanding photosynthesis a piece of cake for your students!

18 Comments

Awesome…. simply loved your baking idea and the prntables. Thanks for sharing for free. Working on an interactive plant notebook with kiddos. Will definitely share with you when I post and link back to you. Thanks once again

Thank you! This was amazing!

This is such a great and helpful post, thanks so much!

These are EXACTLY the things that I needed to add to a kindergarten unit on plants. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

This is so helpful! Thank you very much:)

What an inventive way to teach kiddos about an otherwise complex subject! The song is genius! I teach a garden class for kids, and started to write my own song about photosynthesis…but yours is much cooler!:)

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing! Your experiment was/is awesome and I love your explanations. Can’t wait to use and try with my kiddos!

I love this! I am always trying to find fun, creative ways to introduce science concepts in our homeschool co-op class. 🙂 This is perfect, and I can’t wait to use it! Thank you for sharing!

Could I share this to my local homeschool group’s Facebook? This is amazing and goes perfectly with the science curriculum we’re doing. I LOVE the song. Thank you!!

Sure! Thanks for checking first!

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