Popular searches in the last week:

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

Roots, shoots and so much more!

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

Download all files

Objectives

It’s time to check up on your investigation and see which seedlings are growing strong and healthy and which are not. Further broaden your plant knowledge by observing whole plants closely and making detailed, labelled drawings.

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. Record findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables.

Other Curriculum Areas
Maths - Measurement

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

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Task PowerPoint
  • 3 Strikes and You’re Out PowerPoint
  • How to Play Flower Power PowerPoint
  • Games pieces and reminder sheet
  • Teachers’ notes

Additional Resources

  • Bean seedlings set up in the investigation last session
  • Task sheets begun last session
  • Scissors & glue sticks
  • At least 6 or 7 different species of whole plant including roots (more than 1 between 2 children)
  • Good quality art paper (white cartridge paper & some textured paper in darker earthy shades & grey sugar paper)
  • Good quality coloured art crayons (soft pencil crayons ideally)
  • Magnifying lenses (1 per child)
  • Dice (enough for 1 between 6 children)

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Continue to take measurements and notes from our seedling investigation and make comparisons of their growth and health.
  • Make labelled, annotated drawings of plants from close first hand observation.

Activities

  1. Play a game to recap on plant knowledge and teach some new concepts.
  2. Continue with ongoing investigation of plant needs for growth and health, making comparisons and taking measurements of height.
  3. Closely observe whole specimen plants and make detailed, labelled and annotated drawings.
  4. Play a game to reinforce the various parts of a plant and their functions.

Investigation - analysing secondary sources, exploring
Use secondary sources to discover the parts of a plant and how they vary. Look at a variety of different plants making labelled sketches.

Vocabulary
Plants, investigate, seedlings, research, height, root, stem, leaves, flowers, petals

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.