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Science lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 45 minutes

Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle

Plants

CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-5England: A level Biology: Photosynthesis (extension)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Photosynthesis: word and balanced symbol equations

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Real plants or seeds, Hand lenses, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Photosynthesis: word and balanced symbol equations). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which is the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis? (6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ / CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ / 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 3O₂ / C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O) → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂Prompt: Carbon dioxide and water are the reactants.
  2. A leaf makes 3 molecules of glucose by photosynthesis. Using 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, how many carbon dioxide molecules are used? → 18Prompt: Read the numbers in front of each formula.
  3. Plants turn some glucose into cellulose. What is the cellulose used for? (storing energy for winter / strengthening cell walls / making proteins / absorbing light) → strengthening cell wallsPrompt: Where is cellulose found?

Hook · 5 min

  • Bring in a plant that has been kept in the dark next to one in the light, and ask what happened.
  • Share the objective: Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which stage of photosynthesis: fixes carbon dioxide with the enzyme RuBisCO?
  • Step 1: The Calvin cycle in the stroma fixes carbon dioxide using ATP and NADPH to make sugars.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Calvin cycle (light-independent)
  • Answer: Calvin cycle (light-independent)
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which stage of photosynthesis: happens in the stroma? (light-dependent reactions / Calvin cycle (light-independent)) → Calvin cycle (light-independent)Prompt: Which stage needs carbon dioxide and which needs light energy directly?
  2. RuBisCO is often called the most abundant protein on Earth. What does it do? (fixes carbon dioxide into organic molecules / makes oxygen / absorbs light / splits water) → fixes carbon dioxide into organic moleculesPrompt: It is the first enzyme of the Calvin cycle.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. A plant is moved into darkness. Why does the Calvin cycle soon stop, even though it does not use light directly? (The stroma freezes / Carbon dioxide disappears in the dark / It runs out of ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions / RuBisCO is destroyed by darkness) → It runs out of ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactionsPrompt: What does the Calvin cycle need from the first stage?
  2. Which stage of photosynthesis: make ATP and NADPH? (light-dependent reactions / Calvin cycle (light-independent)) → light-dependent reactionsPrompt: Which stage needs carbon dioxide and which needs light energy directly?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Photosynthesis: word and balanced symbol equations.
  • Use concrete materials: real plants or seeds.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-11.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Which stage of photosynthesis: fixes carbon dioxide with the enzyme RuBisCO?

    • A. light-dependent reactions
    • B. Calvin cycle (light-independent)

  2. Question 2

    RuBisCO is often called the most abundant protein on Earth. What does it do?

    • A. makes oxygen
    • B. absorbs light
    • C. splits water
    • D. fixes carbon dioxide into organic molecules

  3. Question 3

    Stages of photosynthesis: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. The light-dependent reactions make glucose directly.
    • B. The light-dependent reactions release oxygen.
    • C. The Calvin cycle uses ATP and NADPH.
    • D. Chlorophyll is found in the thylakoid membranes.

  4. Question 4

    Which stage of photosynthesis: make ATP and NADPH?

    • A. light-dependent reactions
    • B. Calvin cycle (light-independent)

  5. Question 5

    Which stage of photosynthesis: happen on the thylakoid membranes?

    • A. light-dependent reactions
    • B. Calvin cycle (light-independent)

  6. Question 6

    Where in the chloroplast is chlorophyll found?

    • A. in starch grains
    • B. in the outer membrane only
    • C. in the thylakoid membranes
    • D. in the stroma

  7. Question 7

    Which stage of photosynthesis: happens in the stroma?

    • A. light-dependent reactions
    • B. Calvin cycle (light-independent)

  8. Question 8

    Scientists gave algae water containing a heavy oxygen isotope (¹⁸O). Where did the ¹⁸O end up?

    • A. in the oxygen gas released
    • B. in the chlorophyll
    • C. in the carbon dioxide absorbed
    • D. in the glucose made

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Answer key: Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle

  1. 1. B. Calvin cycle (light-independent)

  2. 2. D. fixes carbon dioxide into organic molecules

  3. 3. A. The light-dependent reactions make glucose directly.

  4. 4. A. light-dependent reactions

  5. 5. A. light-dependent reactions

  6. 6. C. in the thylakoid membranes

  7. 7. B. Calvin cycle (light-independent)

  8. 8. A. in the oxygen gas released