- Year 3
The function of roots
I can describe why plants have roots.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The roots of a plant usually sit below the surface of the soil.
- Roots provide support for the plant by holding the plant upright, especially in windy conditions.
- Roots absorb water and nutrients from soil to provide the plant with what it needs to grow and stay healthy.
Keywords
Roots - The part of a plant that anchors it in the soil is called the root. Roots take in water and nutrients for the plant.
Function - The task that something has is its function.
Absorb - To absorb is to soak something up.
Nutrient - A nutrient is any substance that plants or animals need in order to live or grow.
Soil - Soil is ground up rock mixed up with plant and animal remains.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that roots are like drinking straws that suck up water through their tips, rather than absorbing it across their whole length.
Share the model used in the lesson of a paper towel absorbing water to help pupils understand that water is absorbed, not sucked up, by the roots. Pupils could experience this for themselves in the classroom to help them understand and remember.
Equipment
See additional materials.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name for this part of the plant?
Q2.Plants get many nutrients from the they are growing in.
Q3.Plants need air, , light, room to grow and nutrients from soil to survive and grow.
Q4.What are nutrients?
Q5.When scientists look closely at something and use their other senses to notice things about it, this is called making …
Q6.What is the function of something?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where do the roots of a plant usually grow?
Q2.Roots take in water and from the soil they are growing in to help the plant grow and stay healthy.
Q3.How do roots take in water and nutrients from the soil?
Q4.Which of these is not a function of roots?
Q5.Many roots are covered in tiny hairs. Why do they have these hairs?
Q6.Andeep wants to make a model plant with roots that absorb water like real roots. What would be the best thing for him to use for the roots?
