Year 1 Science: The parts of a plant
Part of the Year 1 Science parts of a plant chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page · Download worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF)
The parts of a plant
Plants are living things. Most plants have the same main parts. Can you find them in the picture?
The roots grow down into the soil. The stem grows up from the roots. The leaves grow on the stem. The flower grows at the top. Each part has a job to do.
Key ideas
- A plant has roots, a stem, leaves and a flower.
- Roots are usually under the soil.
- The stem holds up the leaves and the flower.
- Each part has a job to do.
Method. Look for the soil. Then find the part that is under it.
- Look at the picture. The brown ground is the soil.Soil at the bottom of the picture
- Find the part under the soil. Roots grow down into the soil.Roots go down into the soil
- Write the answer. The roots
Check. Roots stay in the soil and do not show above it. ✓
Watch out. The roots are under the soil, not on top of it.
Method. Look at the part that goes up from the roots.
- Look at the long part that goes up. This part joins the roots to the leaves and the flower.The long green part in the middle
- Name the part. The part that holds up the leaves and flower is the stem.Long part = stem
- Write the answer. The stem
Check. Hold a pencil straight up. It is like the stem holding up the flower. ✓
Watch out. Leaves and flowers are not the part that holds the plant up.
Method. Look for the part that is green and flat.
- Look at the picture. Leaves are green and flat.A green flat shape
- Think about where it grows. Leaves grow on the stem of a plant.Leaves grow on the stem
- Write the answer. A leaf
Check. Most leaves are green and flat, like this one. ✓
Watch out. A flower is bright and soft, not flat and green.
Watch out
Watch out: a plant has more than a flower. Look for the roots, the stem and the leaves as well.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Find a plant in a pot or in the garden. Point to each part and say its name. Wash hands after touching plants and soil. Never eat any part of a plant unless a grown-up says it is safe.
Try it at home
With a grown-up, find a plant in a pot or in the garden. Do not pick it. Point to its stem and its leaves. Ask: Where are its roots? Wash your hands afterwards.
Exercise 3A Naming the parts of a plant
Method. Find the flower in the picture, then read its letter.
- Look for the flower. The flower grows at the top of the plant.The flower is shown as A.
- Read the letter next to it. Each part has its own letter.Flower = A
- Write the answer. A
Check. Point to the letter A with your finger. ✓
Watch out. Check the letter is next to the right part, not the part above or below it.
Method. Find the leaf in the picture, then read its letter.
- Look for the leaf. Leaves grow on the stem, out to the side.The leaf is shown as B.
- Read the letter next to it. Each part has its own letter.Leaf = B
- Write the answer. B
Check. Point to the letter B with your finger. ✓
Watch out. Check the letter is next to the right part, not the part above or below it.
Method. Find the stem in the picture, then read its letter.
- Look for the stem. The stem is the long part that goes up from the soil.The stem is shown as C.
- Read the letter next to it. Each part has its own letter.Stem = C
- Write the answer. C
Check. Point to the letter C with your finger. ✓
Watch out. Check the letter is next to the right part, not the part above or below it.
Method. Find the roots in the picture, then read its letter.
- Look for the roots. The roots are under the soil.The roots is shown as D.
- Read the letter next to it. Each part has its own letter.Roots = D
- Write the answer. D
Check. Point to the letter D with your finger. ✓
Watch out. Check the letter is next to the right part, not the part above or below it.
Method. Find the leaf in the picture, then read its letter.
- Look for the leaf. Leaves grow on the stem.The leaf is shown as B.
- Read the letter next to it. Each part has its own letter.Leaf = B
- Write the answer. B
Check. Point to the letter B with your finger. ✓
Watch out. Check the letter is next to the right part, not the part above or below it.
Method. Find the stem in the picture, then read its letter.
- Look for the stem. The stem holds the leaves up.The stem is shown as C.
- Read the letter next to it. Each part has its own letter.Stem = C
- Write the answer. C
Check. Point to the letter C with your finger. ✓
Watch out. Check the letter is next to the right part, not the part above or below it.
Method. Find the roots in the picture, then read its letter.
- Look for the roots. The roots are under the soil.The roots is shown as D.
- Read the letter next to it. Each part has its own letter.Roots = D
- Write the answer. D
Check. Point to the letter D with your finger. ✓
Watch out. Check the letter is next to the right part, not the part above or below it.
Method. Think about which part goes up from the roots.
- Look at the long part in the middle. It joins the roots to the leaves and the flower.Long part = stem
- Name the part. The part that holds the leaves and flower up is the stem.Stem holds them up
- Write the answer. The stem
Check. The stem is the middle part, from the soil to the flower. ✓
Watch out. The leaves are not the part that holds the plant up.
Method. Think about the part that is under the soil.
- Read the sentence. The part that grows down into the soil is named in the answer.grow down into the soil
- Find the part. Roots grow down into the soil.The roots
- Write the answer. roots
Check. Roots hold the plant still, like anchors. ✓
Watch out. Stems and leaves do not grow down into the soil.
Method. Think about the green, flat parts of a plant.
- Read the sentence. The green, flat parts catch sunlight.green, flat, catch sunlight
- Name the part. Leaves are green, flat and catch sunlight.Leaves
- Write the answer. leaves
Check. Look at a leaf outside. It is green and flat. ✓
Watch out. Flowers and roots are not usually green and flat.
Method. Think about where roots grow.
- Look at what Ali said. He said the roots grow on top of the soil.Roots on top?
- Think about where roots are. Roots grow down into the soil to hold the plant.Roots go down, not up
- Write the answer. No. Roots grow down into the soil.
Check. Pull up a weed gently and see the roots in the soil. ✓
Watch out. Roots are under the soil. Leaves and flowers are above it.
Method. Count each main part once.
- Find each part. Touch each part once, so you do not miss one.Roots, stem, leaves, flower
- Count them. Each name is one part.1, 2, 3, 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the bottom: roots, stem, leaves, flower. ✓
Watch out. The flower is one part, even though it has petals.
Method. Think about where the roots are.
- Look at the plant in the pot. You can see the stem, the leaves and the flower.Stem, leaves, flower: seen
- Think about the soil. Roots grow down into the soil, so you cannot see them.Roots: hidden under the soil
- Write the answer. The roots, because they are under the soil.
Check. Lift the pot a little, with a grown-up, to see the soil. ✓
Watch out. Parts under the soil are hidden from us.