Roots - Teacher Explanation

Welcome to lesson 3.13, 'Roots and their Functions', part of the Year 3 Unit on plants. In this lesson, pupils will explore the various functions of different parts of flowering plants, with a particular emphasis on roots. It is important to consider any plant allergies as students will be handling plant matter during the lesson. After such activities, it is essential for pupils to wash their hands thoroughly. The lesson offers cross-curricular opportunities, including writing a plant care guide in English, creating graphs from experimental results in Maths, and researching indigenous plant species from different countries in Geography.

The lesson features a practical activity called 'Root View Farm', which is simple to set up and requires four types of seeds, such as pea, cress, sunflower, and mustard, along with two-litre drink bottles filled three-quarters with soil and water. It's crucial to keep the soil moist, possibly by appointing 'water monitors'. This activity allows students to observe and measure root growth in different directions. Another experiment, 'Root Models', demonstrates how water is absorbed through capillary action using food colouring, string, cups, and a stopwatch. Students can manipulate variables such as the number and thickness of 'roots' to see the effects on water absorption. The final task, 'Root Research', involves creating a FAQ file about different root types, including examples and illustrations. This comprehensive lesson aims to provide an engaging and educational experience for the pupils to learn about the fascinating world of plant roots.