Suggested Timetable for Plants and Photosynthesis
Lessons
Planning ahead
Notes
On arrival
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Unpack venus flytraps plants
Print risk assessments and cpd for
staff
Weeks 1 and 2
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Collect holly and ivy leaves
Ask children to bring in 1l and 2l
plastic bottles for weeks 9 and 10,
and 11 and 12.
Buy geranium plants
Collect a range of leaves for children
to compare
Investigation 2 - geranium plants will need to
be left for a day or so to observe what comes
out of leaves.
Cobalt chloride paper may need to be
heated.
Children must wear gloves.
Ensure microscopes have batteries in
them
Collect a range of stems with leaves
Collect ivy or holly leaves
Buy celery
Plant tree seeds
Investigation 2 - will need to be left overnight or
prepared in the morning and left until after
lunch.
Ensure children wash their hands after handling
ivy.
Investigation 3 - Ensure you paint the underside
of the leaf with nail varnish.
Investigation 4 – ratio of food dye to water is 3:1
Demo 1 – Stems of leaves need to be
collected
Buy flowers
Prepare the potometer underwater to
ensure only a single air bubble.
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Weeks 3 and 4
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Weeks 5 and 6
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Suggested Timetable for Plants and Photosynthesis
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Decant the Toluidine Blue (dye) into
the dropper bottles for children.
Plant seeds for weeks 9/10 – Root
farm activity
Buy carrots, celery or something
similar in order to make cross
sections.
Bring in fruit and veg for Investigation
1.
Children could do this if using scissors
instead of a scalpel, and at teacher’s
discretion.
Investigation 2 – The wax will take 15-20
mins to set, but leave longer to harden fully.
SAPS sheet 5 is an excellent resource for this
week.
Weeks 7 and 8
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Weeks 9 and 10
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Find seeds for Investigation 1
Bring in fruit for Demo 3.
Weeks 11 and 12
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Nothing to prepare in advance other
than ensuring you have seeds.
Weeks 13 and 14
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Nothing to prepare in advance as tree
seeds were planted in weeks 3 and 4.
Investigation 1 - Remember gloves when
handling iodine.
Ensure windows are open.