1.05 Why Are Plants Green
“Why Are Plants Green?” is Lesson 1.5 of the Grow Your PALS Program Guide (National FFA Mentoring Program) Plants and Gardening unit. In this large-group lesson, students learn the role of chlorophyll, the elements needed for photosynthesis, and demonstrate the effect of light by covering a bean leaf with black paper for a week and comparing it to leaves that received light. The lesson includes a coloring handout, a Photosynthesis Song, and an assessment.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Explain the role of chlorophyll in a plant.
- Identify the elements needed for photosynthesis to occur in plants.
- Demonstrate the effect of light in the photosynthetic process through an experiment.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 50 minutes.
- Materials
-
- PALS1.5.LG AS.A – one per student
- PALS1.5.LG AS.B – one for instructor
- PALS1.5.LG.ASSESS.A – one per student
- One potted bean plant with four to six leaves for each student (or substitute geraniums or some other broadleaf plant)
- Green, blue and yellow crayons or colored pencils for each student
- Two, one-inch square pieces of black construction paper for each student
- Two paper clips for each student
- Room where plants can receive light
- Writing surface and markers
- Unit
- Plants and Gardening
- Lesson Type
- Large Group
- Precepts
- J. Mental Growth — J1. Think critically; J2. Think creatively
- Key Terms
- Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll, Glucose
- Resources
- National FFA Organization. (2003). LifeKnowledge Precepts and Signs of Success
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- NL-ENG.K-12.12Applying Language Skills
- NS.K-4.3Life Science
- PS.01.03.01.bExplain requirements necessary for photosynthesis to occur and identify the products and byproducts of photosynthesis.
- PS.02.01.01.aDescribe the qualities of light that affect plant growth.