Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate: Ciara Oliver Date: April 24, 2018

Grade and Topic: Third Grade: Photosynthesis Length of Lesson: 45 minutes

Mentor Teacher: Dr. Townes School: The University of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

● The process of photosynthesis is very instrumental in the survival of both humans and plants. As a class
we will spend this week exploring the steps of photosynthesis and how it affects humans and plants
according to the TN Academic Standards for Science.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:
● Given a computer and appropriate software, the student will then create a comic strip where he/she will
illustrate the steps of photosynthesis.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
● List the State/District and/or Common Core standards addressed in the lesson. Also list ISTE’s NETS*S
standard if technology use is applicable.
● Tennessee Academic Standards for Science:
3.LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Analyze the internal and external structures that aquatic and land animals and plants have to
support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
 ISTE Standards for Students
3. Knowledge Constructor
3c Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create
collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.
6. Creative Communicator
6a Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation
or communication.
6c. Students communicate complex idea clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital
objects such as visualizations, models or simulations
6d. Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended
audiences.

MATERIALS:
● Computer
● BrainPop website
https://www.brainpop.com/science/cellularlifeandgenetics/photosynthesis/
Students will use BrainPop to view a video on photosynthesis as a review of the subject.
● Knowledge of ToonDo website
http://www.toondoo.com
Based on knowledge from the lesson and information gathered from the BrainPop video, students will create a
comic strip explaining the steps of photosynthesis as discussed in class. ToonDo is a too that has previously been
introduced in the classroom. An example of student work is provided below.
● Pen/Pencil
● Creative mind
BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:
● Students will showcase a clear understanding of the process of photosynthesis through a visual aid
(comic strip).
● Critical academic language addressed in this lesson?
Photosynthesis, Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen
● This lesson builds on skills from previous lessons as it allows students to show what they have learned
throughout the week by using their creativity to make a visual aid.
● I expect to build on this lesson in future lessons by using this same process of, “what does this object
need to survive?” when addressing other organisms.
● I may need to plan differentiated activities or assessments in the event that there is a child who performs
significantly above or below the majority of their peers.

PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:

● Introduction:
In starting this lesson, I would start a discussion with the students about what they think photosynthesis
is and what do they think that it involves. I would also introduce it with a video that briefly talks about
plants and how they survive following the discussion and then following the video, ask the students the
same question that I asked in the beginning. Ove the next few days we will delve into the topic to help
students further understand the process.
● Procedures:
Viewing the BrainPop video (5 minutes)
Access the photosynthesis video using the link provided.

Creating the photosynthesis comic strip (45 minutes)

Access ToonDoo using the link provided
Create a ToonDo account
Tools Tab
Book Maker
Select Template
Select background, animations etc.
Let your creativity flow!

If there are students who may perform at a lower level or are significantly challenged in the area
of technology they will be required to complete the same activity but using crayons,
drawing paper etc.
If technology is limited then this activity will take place over the couple of a couple days as a
rotation system will have to take place.
Closure:
To close the lesson, students will volunteer to share their comics with the class and will even
have the option to act out the process of photosynthesis with their classmates.

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
● At the conclusion of the lesson, the teacher will then use a form of a formative assessment (i.e quiz) to
assess the students’ knowledge of photosynthesis.
MODIFICATIONS:
● Students who did not master the set objectives will be provided another option to master those skills via
one on one time with the instructor.
● In the case of modifying the lesson for students who are ready for enrichment, those students will have
more enhance instructions for their assignments.
Name: _______________________ Date:_____________________

Quiz

1. What is photosynthesis?

2. What happens during the first step of photosynthesis?

3. What happens during the second step of photosynthesis?

4. What happens during the last step of photosynthesis?

Bonus:
Humans need ________________ to breathe.