A plant has parts, just like you have arms and legs. Each part has a job.
Key idea
Most plants have roots, a stem, leaves and flowers.
- Roots hold the plant in the ground and drink water.
- The stem holds the plant up and carries water to the leaves.
- Leaves catch sunlight and make food.
- Flowers make seeds.
Why it works
Each part helps the plant get what it needs. Roots reach down for water, and the stem lifts the leaves up toward the light.
Common mistake
Children forget the roots because they are hidden under the ground. Some think a tree is not a plant because it is big and woody. A tree has roots, a stem (its trunk), leaves and flowers too.
For the grown-up. Pull up a weed (or look at a carrot with its green top) and find the roots, the stem and the leaves together. Talk about the job of each part as you go.