Long-term overview - Plants - Year 2

The Year 2 science curriculum takes young learners on an explorative journey into the world of botany, building on the foundational knowledge acquired in Year 1. The unit delves into the essential needs of plants and trees for healthy growth, prompting students to question and understand the significance of light, water, soil, and a suitable temperature. Pupils are encouraged to identify and name the main parts of plants and trees, such as roots, stems, leaves, and petals, and to recognise their roles in the life of a plant.

Through hands-on activities and experiments, students learn to work scientifically by investigating the conditions necessary for plant growth, including fair testing and making observations over time to note changes in plant development. They also learn to classify and identify different parts of a plant. Curiosity about the natural world is further fostered by engaging with the local environment to learn the names of various trees and by discovering methods to determine a tree's age. This unit is a stepping stone towards more complex biological concepts such as germination and pollination, which are introduced in Year 3, ensuring a progressive understanding of plant biology.