7.5A: Photosynthesis
Matter and Energy
Save the Trees
The Problem
Key Concepts Addressed
The trees on our planet are being depleted
at an alarming rate. Some experts
estimate that more than fifty percent of
Earth’s trees have disappeared due to
human activity. Trees are a vital part of
our planet’s survival. A mature, leafy tree
produces a substantial amount of oxygen
for humans and animals to breathe.
Trees, in essence, act as filters that clean
the air we breath. As it produces its food,
a tree absorbs carbon dioxide and uses it
during the process of photosynthesis.
Oxygen, one of the products of this
process, is released into the atmosphere.
According to the British Columbia Forest
Association, 100 trees absorb
approximately five tons of carbon dioxide
and one thousand pounds of other
dangerous pollutants during their lifetime.
Carbon dioxide is toxic to the human body,
so it is very important that trees exist to
remove it from our atmosphere.
Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that
occurs in plants. During this reaction,
radiant energy from the Sun, carbon
dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere
and water absorbed from soil are
transformed into chemical energy in the
form of a sugar called glucose. Oxygen is
also produced and is released into the
atmosphere.
Performance /College & Career
Readiness Goals
Science Standards
IX. Earth and Space Sciences
F. Energy transfer within and among
systems
1. Describe matter and energy transfer in
Earth’s systems.
Guiding Question
2. Give examples of effects of energy
transfer within and among systems.
How would Earth’s inhabitants survive
without trees?
Cross-Disciplinary Standards
I. Key Cognitive Skills
Mission Deliverable
C. Problem solving
Design and implement a campaign that
motivates the students, faculty, and staff in
your school to join the global effort to
conserve and replenish Earth’s trees.
1. Analyze a situation to identify a
problem to be solved.
1. Develop and apply multiple strategies
to solve a problem.
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7.5A: Photosynthesis
Matter and Energy
Save the Trees
Student Checklist
Getting Started
Resources
Watch, Know, Learn:
Real Trees 4 Kids
Land: State of the Earth
Rain Forest Virtual Tour
National Tree Day - Life is Better With Trees
Causes of Deforestation
Trees for Schools
TASK
RESOURCES
DUE
DATE
STATUS/NOTES
Build your knowledge of the
environmental benefits that
trees offer.
1. Mac or PC Computer
2. Internet
☐ Complete
☐ Not Complete
Build your knowledge of the
growing global problem of
deforestation and its impact on
the environment.
1. Mac or PC Computer
2. Internet
☐ Complete
☐ Not Complete
Use the presentation software
application, Microsoft
PowerPoint, to design and
create 3-5 “Save the Trees”
posters. Each poster should
convey a motivational
message, and each poster
should display an appealing,
complementary image. Use a
color printer to print the posters.
Post the posters in approved
areas in your school.
1. Mac or PC Computer with
the MS PowerPoint
Application
2. Internet
3. Color Printer
☐ Complete
☐ Not Complete
2
7.5A: Photosynthesis
Matter and Energy
Save the Trees
Student Checklist, continued
TASK
RESOURCES
DUE
DATE
STATUS/NOTES
Use the presentation software
application, Microsoft
PowerPoint, to design and
create a “Save the Trees”
presentation for a school
assembly. Your presentation
should discuss: (1) The growing
global problem of deforestation;
(2) How trees benefit the
environment; and (3) The ways
that the students, faculty, and
staff in your school can join
global efforts to save and
replenish trees.
1. Mac or PC Computer with the
MS PowerPoint Application
2. Internet
☐ Complete
☐ Not Complete
Use the word processing
application, Microsoft Word, to
create a script for a “Save the
Trees” Public Service
Announcement (PSA). Your
PSA should be a brief (30-60
seconds), memorable
statement that will “hook”
listeners into the “Save a Tree”
campaign. Use an audio editor
and recorder, such as Audacity
or GarageBand, to record your
PSA. Publish your PSA to a
website that is approved by
your school.
1. Mac or PC Computer with the
MS Word Application
2. Audio Editing and Recording
Software, such as Audacity or
GarageBand
3. Internet
☐ Complete
☐ Not Complete
Lead a school assembly.
Deliver your “Save the Trees”
PowerPoint presentation
during this assembly. You
should also present your “Save
the Trees” posters and PSA
during this assembly.
1. Finished “Save the Trees”
Campaign Products
2. Projection Equipment
☐ Complete
☐ Not Complete
FINAL DUE DATE:
3
7.5A: Photosynthesis
Matter and Energy
Name: _____________________________ Date: ___________ Per: _____
Save the Trees
Rubric and Grade Sheet
Category
Exceeds
Expectations
3 points
Meets
Expectations
2 points
Below
Expectations
1 point
Content
Mastery
Included detail on
all components and
SCOPE Key
Concepts.
Included some
detail on most
components and
SCOPE Key
Concepts.
Included little to
no detail on
components and
SCOPE Key
Concepts.
Application
of Content
Student correctly
supported all
SCOPE content
AND goals.
Student correctly
supported most
SCOPE content
AND goals.
Student did not
support SCOPE
content AND
goals.
Research
All information is
accurate and is
taken from at least
four sources.
Most information is
accurate and is
taken from two to
three sources.
Little to no
information is
accurate and is
taken from one to
no sources.
Presentation
Final product is
attractive, all
components are
easily identified, and
the student can
clearly dialogue
about the project.
Final product is
somewhat
attractive, most
components are
easily identifiable,
and the student
can somewhat
dialogue about the
project.
Final product is
not presented well,
components are
difficult to identify,
and the student
cannot clearly
dialogue about the
project.
SCORE
TOTAL
SCORE:
4
Teacher
Comments
7.5A: Photosynthesis
Matter and Energy
Appendix: Save the Trees
Internet Resources
RESOURCE
URL
Land: State of the Earth
http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?Vi
deoID=1431&CategoryID=547
Real Trees 4 Kids
http://www.realtrees4kids.org/sixeight.htm
Rain Forest Virtual Tour
http://www.arborday.org/programs/rainforest/t
our.cfm
National Tree Day – Life is Better With Trees
http://treeday.planetark.org/schools/
Replanting the Rainforest – Causes of
Deforestation
http://replantingtherainforests.org/site/index.p
hp/Rainforest-Problems/causes-ofdeforestation.html
Trees for School
http://treesforhouston.org/index.php?id=25
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