Mississippi Science L.5.3A
Standard Cluster
Students will demonstrate an understanding of photosynthesis and the transfer of energy from the sun into chemical energy necessary for plant growth and survival. Research and communicate the basic process of photosynthesis that is used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy that can be stored and released to fuel an organism’s activities. Analyze environments that do not receive direct sunlight and devise explanations as to how photosynthesis occurs, either naturally or artificially.
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Ecology and Interdependence
Cluster contents
Standards in This Cluster
L.5.3A is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.
- L.5.3A.1
Research and communicate the basic process of photosynthesis that is used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy that can be stored and released...
- L.5.3A.2
Analyze environments that do not receive direct sunlight and devise explanations as to how photosynthesis occurs, either naturally or artificially.
Teacher's field guide
What This Cluster Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use a source to explain how plants use light, water, and carbon dioxide to make sugar. They explain that sugar stores energy plants can use to grow and survive. They describe how plants can make sugar with indirect sunlight or a grow lamp, but not in total darkness.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student draws light, water, and carbon dioxide entering a leaf, with sugar made and oxygen released. They explain that light energy is stored in sugar. They can explain why a shaded porch or grow lamp provides enough light, but a dark cave does not.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think plants get food from soil rather than making sugar. Some think shade stops photosynthesis, or that plants can keep making sugar in total darkness. A seed sprouting in the dark may confuse them because it uses stored energy.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Draw a plant under a grow lamp in a windowless room. Label what it takes in and makes, then explain whether it can make new sugar when the lamp is off.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place one seedling under a grow lamp and another in a dark box; give both equal water and record changes for a week.
Give students a textbook page on photosynthesis; ask them to write how a shaded porch plant gets light and stores energy.
Give pairs light, water, carbon dioxide, sugar, and oxygen cards; have them race to arrange the cards around a leaf drawing.
Show a photo of an indoor farm under grow lights; ask where the plants get light and where that energy goes.
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Printable L.5.3A Worksheet
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Related Standards
- E.4.9A
Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the water cycle is propelled by the sun's energy.
- L.1.1
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic needs and structures of plants.
- L.1.4
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ways plants adapt to their environment in order to survive.
- L.1.3A
Students will demonstrate an understanding of what plants need from the environment for growth and repair.
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