Standard #: SC.8.L.18.1


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Describe and investigate the process of photosynthesis, such as the roles of light, carbon dioxide, water and chlorophyll; production of food; release of oxygen.


General Information

Subject Area: Science
Grade: 8
Body of Knowledge: Life Science
Big Idea: Matter and Energy Transformations -

A. Living things all share basic needs for life.

B. Living organisms acquire the energy they need for life processes through various metabolic pathways (photosynthesis and cellular respiration).

C. Matter and energy are recycled through cycles such as the carbon cycle.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes

Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
2002100: M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2002110: M/J Comprehensive Science 3, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2000010: M/J Life Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2000020: M/J Life Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7820017: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2002085: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7920030: Fundamental Integrated Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
7920035: Fundamental Integrated Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
2001100: M/J Coastal Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001105: M/J Coastal Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))


Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SC.8.L.18.In.1 Identify structures in plants that enable them to use the energy from the Sun to make their own food through a process called photosynthesis.
SC.8.L.18.Su.1 Recognize that plants make their own food through a process called photosynthesis.
SC.8.L.18.Pa.1 Recognize that plants need water and light to grow.


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Modeling Photosynthesis

In this lesson, students will actively manipulate materials to model the reactants and products of photosynthesis. A PowerPoint presentation is provided as is a worksheet that can be collected as a summative assessment.

The Link between Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

This is a lesson that addresses standards and misconceptions associated with Big Idea 18 about Matter and Energy Transformations as related to photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The lesson also embeds a review of other related standards for which the students possesses prior knowledge. The lesson is vertically aligned to review classification of organisms, taxonomy, and build from related introductory activities into learning about cell types, organelles and their structures, and functions, with an emphasis on the chloroplast and the mitochondrion and their role in photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The lesson scaffolds text coding, note taking, charting, answering media dependent questions and culminates in a summative written essay assessment. An alternative short response exam has been included which could be used as an exam or the questions could be used as formative questions throughout the lesson.

Photosynthesis - From Light to Food

This lesson will elaborate on the topic of photosynthesis and clear up any misconceptions that your students may have with regard to the purpose of photosynthesis.  Students will learn the roles of light, carbon dioxide, water, and chlorophyll; about food production; and about the release of oxygen by plants.

Plants Need Light Too! (Photosynthesis in Plants)

In this lesson, students will investigate the process photosynthesis. They will focus on identification of reactants - carbon dioxide, water and light energy, and products - glucose, water, and oxygen by utilizing interactive game pieces. Students will write an explanation of the process of photosynthesis.

Bubbling with Excitement Over Photosynthesis Light is necessary for photosynthesis to occur. In this activity students will expose aquatic plants to varying amounts of light and record the amount of bubbles produced as a result.

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Photosynthesis

Learn about the process of photosynthesis and ways that plants convert energy from the sun into glucose with this interactive tutorial.

Text Resource

Name Description
A Change in Leaf Color

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article discusses the reasons why some leaves change color in the fall. It contains background information on why leaves turn different colors and how red pigment is especially different, chemically, from the others.

Unit/Lesson Sequence

Name Description
Chemical Change Investigations | Inquiry in Action In this series of 10 investigations, students gain experience with the evidence of chemical change - production of a gas, change in temperature, color change, and formation of a precipitate. Students begin by observing that similar-looking powders can be differentiated by the way they react chemically with certain test liquids. Students then use their chemical tests and observations to identify an unknown powder and, in a follow-up activity, to identify the active ingredients in baking powder. Students continue to explore chemical change by using a thermometer to observe that temperature either increases or decreases during chemical reactions. Then they control these reactions by adjusting the amount of reactants. In another set of activities, students use the color changes of red cabbage indicator to classify substances as acids or bases, neutralize solutions, and compare the relative acidity of two different solutions. Students conclude the investigation by comparing a precipitate to one of the reactants that formed it. Students see that a new substance was created during the chemical reaction. Information and questions about photosynthesis and cellular respiration are included as examples of chemical changes on pages 316-318 of this resource.

Video/Audio/Animation

Name Description
Science Crossword Puzzles A collection of crossword puzzles that test the knowledge of students about some of the terms, processes, and classifications covered in science topics

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Photosynthesis:

Learn about the process of photosynthesis and ways that plants convert energy from the sun into glucose with this interactive tutorial.

Video/Audio/Animation

Name Description
Science Crossword Puzzles: A collection of crossword puzzles that test the knowledge of students about some of the terms, processes, and classifications covered in science topics


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