Photosynthesis Lesson | Middle School Lesson and Infographic Activity

Introduce students to the essentials of Photosynthesis and its connection to Cellular Respiration with this ready-to-use science lesson designed for Grades 6–8. This middle school resource provides both foundational knowledge and opportunities for scientific discussion and inquiry-based learning.

✅ Covers Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration using interactive slides and critical thinking questions
✅ Includes Editable Presentations, Auto-Graded Exit Ticket, Infographic Task, and Student Notes
✅ Aligned to NGSS Standards MS-LS1-5, MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7, and MS-LS2-3
✅ No-Prep Resource with built-in videos and fill-in-the-blank guided notes to support active learning

This lesson package is comprehensive and student-friendly. It includes everything needed for a full class session or more, offering a smooth and engaging way to teach key life science concepts. Students will explore how energy from the sun drives life on Earth, how plants process that energy, and how it's transferred through ecosystems.

Topics covered in the lesson include:

• The sun as Earth’s energy source

• Distribution of energy on Earth

• The structure and role of chloroplasts

• The function of chlorophyll

• Why leaves change color

• The processes of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

• ATP as a cellular energy carrier

• How Photosynthesis supports all life on Earth

What’s inside the download:

• A teacher slideshow with full content and answers

• A student version of the slideshow with fill-in-the-blank sections

• An auto-graded 4-question Exit Ticket for quick assessment

• Two instructional videos embedded within the presentation

• An infographic-based activity to reinforce learning

• A printable student worksheet to guide note-taking and discussion

Standards alignment:

• MS-LS1-5: Students examine how plants rely on air and water to build materials needed for growth, tying into carbon dioxide and water’s role in photosynthesis.

• MS-LS1-6: Learners explain how photosynthesis drives the flow of matter and energy in living systems.

• MS-LS1-7: The lesson supports modeling how food undergoes chemical reactions in cellular respiration to release energy and support growth.

• MS-LS2-3: Students explore how energy and matter cycle between organisms and their environment.

The student notes are designed to maximize participation without overwhelming learners with too much writing. Strategic fill-in-the-blank prompts help students focus on key vocabulary and ideas while leaving time for group discussion, exploration, and deeper analysis. These prompts are clearly marked in the teacher copy to make instruction seamless.

Whether you’re teaching in person or online, this lesson gives you everything you need to introduce photosynthesis and cellular respiration in a clear, structured, and student-centered way.