Students learn about photosynthesis with this coloring exercise. They color an image of a leaf with outlines the reactants and products and then color a chloroplast which includes stacks of thylakoids where the reaction takes place.
The activity starts with an overview of the equation for photosynthesis. Students compare the reactants in the equation to a graphic showing the leaf.
The worksheet has all the information students need to learn about the reaction (no textbook needed). Close reading of the text will help them complete the coloring according to the directions.
The last section takes a close look at the structure of a chloroplast. Student color the thylakoids and stroma.
Students will need to have some knowledge of cellular respiration to answer a question about the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration. I also have a coloring / reading worksheet for cellular respiration.
If you are looking for a hands-on experience with photosynthesis, Carolina sells a kit to make algae beads that react to light. This does require some advance preparation. Students can also do a photosynthesis virtual lab which requires no set-up or materials.
This worksheet does not go into detail about the light dependent and light independent reactions, though I do have a coloring worksheet that covers these reactions that I use with the second year biology students.
Grade Level: 8-10
Time Required: 25-30 minutes
HS-LS1-5 Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.
HS-LS1-6 Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules.