Popular searches in the last week:

2026, 2027, 2025, plants, english, time, poetry, history, forces, vikings

Fruit, shoot, leaf or root?

Science Year 3
This unit is part of Year 3 Science Roots and Shoots

Download all files

Objectives

Zinnia makes contact again to check on your progress. Play a game to create a list of top human plant foods she will need to grow and discover the different parts of plants people eat. Discover the difference between fruits and vegetables and use your knowledge to classify food plants. Make close observations and create models of sections through different fruits.

Science Objectives
i) Identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers.

ii) Explore the requirements of plants for life and growth (air, light, water, nutrients from soil, and room to grow) and how they vary from plant to plant.

Working Scientifically

  1. Make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units.
  2. Gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help answer questions.

Other Curriculum Areas
Maths - Measurement

  • Measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm).

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • A new message from Zinnia (film clip Z1 Play me)
  • Notes on how to play 2 learning games
  • Task sheet
  • Teachers’ notes

Additional Resources

  • Bean seedlings set up in the investigation and task sheets to record their growth and health
  • Flip chart and marker pens
  • 3 minute sand timer
  • A wide selection of food plants some sliced into sections prepared ahead if possible
  • A cardboard label for each food plant you have
  • A sharp knife and chopping board
  • Plasticine / modelling dough in a range of different bright colours
  • Sheets of black paper in assorted sizes approx. A4 – A5

Weblinks

Second message from Zinnia from www.YouTube.com

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Continue to take measurements and notes from our seedling investigation.
  • Classify food plants according to the part of the plant that is eaten.
  • Create a detailed Plasticine model of a slice of fruit using careful observation.

Activities

  1. Continue with the ongoing investigation of plant needs, making comparisons and taking measurements.
  2. Play a team game to discover the huge variety of plants in their diet and create a list of them.
  3. Classify different foods as either root, stem/shoot, leaf, flower, fruit or seed.
  4. Create detailed models of sections through fruits showing flesh, skin, seeds etc.

Investigation - exploring/classifying and identifying
Make a list of plants the aliens will need to take to the space farm. Classify according to human use for leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruits and seeds.

Vocabulary
Plants, research, root, stem, shoots, leaves, flowers, petals, buds, fruits, seeds, classify

Log in or sign up to get access to this resource

School Subscription

Reduce teacher workload

From £200 (+ VAT) per year. Access to all key stages for multiple users.

Sign up

Individual Subscription

For inspirational teaching

Just £60 (£50 + VAT) per year to get access to all resources.

Sign up

Early Career Teacher

Develop your teaching

Just £42 (£35 + VAT) to get access to all resources for 2 years.

Sign up

Taster Account

100s of resources

Register to access all free resources.

Sign up

Already subscribed?

Log in to get access.