Photosynthesis: Build-a-Leaf Lab
Students model how leaves capture light and turn it into energy with a hands-on build.
Materials
7 materials1
leaf close-up image
2
Slides
2
labeled leaf diagram
3
Build guide
3
recording sheet
4
Exit ticket
4
class chart
Lesson plan
4 phases, 45 minGoal
Students can trace light, water and carbon dioxide through a leaf and explain how a plant stores energy as sugar.
1
Hook: Why are leaves green?
Project a close-up of a leaf and chart student ideas about how plants "eat".
5 min
class
leaf close-up image
2
Model the leaf
Walk through the parts of a leaf and the inputs/outputs of photosynthesis with a labeled diagram.
15 min
class
Slides
labeled leaf diagram
3
Build & test
In groups, students assemble a paper-leaf model and trace light, water, and CO₂ to sugar and oxygen.
18 min
groups
Build guide
recording sheet
4
Share & reflect
Groups present one thing their model shows; complete an exit ticket on inputs and outputs.
7 min
groups
Exit ticket
class chart
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Ratings & comments
Would this work a year group down with more scaffolding, or is the reading level too high?
Worked well as a cover lesson. A colleague with no background in the topic taught it from the plan alone.
Pairs nicely with the follow-up lesson in the same subject — I taught them back to back.
Really well structured. I adapted the warm-up slightly for my group and it worked beautifully. Saved me hours of prep.