Parts of a Plant
Background Information & Activities

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Plants exist in different shapes, sizes, and colors, but most share similar structures. It is important for your child to understand the basic structures of a plant and their functions.

The root is the part of the plant that grows into the ground. The root not only anchors the plant into the soil, but it also absorbs water and minerals. The stem transports water and nutrients to the rest of the plant and also holds up the plant. The leaves are the parts of the plant that are responsible for both converting sunlight into food through photosynthesis and respiration. Flowers are structures responsible for producing seeds. After flowers are pollinated, the flower turns into a fruit. The fruit protects the seeds inside. After the fruit ripens, it falls to the ground and the seeds inside have the opportunity to grow into new plants. We recommend watching the Plant Life Cycle movie together as a review. Fruit can decay and release the seeds or animals can eat the fruit and leave the seeds behind in a new place.

In order to grow, plants need sunlight, water, the right temperature conditions, and a safe place. Plants adapt in different ways to get the things they need to survive. An indoor plant near a window will bend toward the light. Many plants in shady places will grow larger leaves to maximize the amount of sunlight it receives. Plants that live in dry places will grow longer roots to find water deep below. Seeds will lie dormant until the right conditions arise.

Plants are all around us—in our backyard and in our food. It’s important for your child to understand how we use plants and how they are an important resource that needs to be conserved and protected.

Parts of a Plant Teacher Activities – Click Here!

Parts of a Plant Family Activities – Click Here!

Parts of a Plant Teacher Activities

© 1999-2009 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Growing Up

Bring in seeds for your students to study, plant, and observe. You can provide potting soil and foam cups for each student, or you can plant a seed together as a class. Choose a fast-growing, hardy plant such as marigolds or bean plants. Seeds are affordable and readily available at your local gardening store or grocery store. As the seed grows, have students record their observations and measurements.

Dissection

A great way to learn about plants is to take one apart. Bring in a few plants for small groups to dissect. You can even bring in weeds from a garden—just be sure to bring in whole plants, with roots included. Have students observe each part and record their observations. Have student volunteers explain the function and importance for each plant structure.

Feeling Blue

Explain to students that celery is a stem. It transports water and food to the rest of the plant. As a demonstration or experiment in small groups, have students put the celery in blue water. They can observe how blue water travels up the celery to the leaves. Students can record how long it takes for the blue water to move up the stem.

Plant Poems

There are many stories and poems about plants. Pick a few poems and read them together as a class. Students can make up their own poems about plants and decorate their work. You can post their poems around the classroom or, if possible, ask a local greenhouse, nursery, or gardening store to post the poems.

Parts of a Plant Family Activities

© 1999-2009 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Plant a Plant

If possible, start a garden at home. You can use a small box lined with foil, an old pot, or use your yard to grow plants. Your child can be responsible for watering the plants and making sure they get sunlight. Then, your child can watch as the garden grows. You may also want to take your child to a farm, nursery, or greenhouse to explore how plants grow and how they are alike and different.

Seeds Come in All Sizes

Have your child collect some different seeds. What is the smallest seed they can find? What is the biggest? Whether it’s a tiny poppy seed or a large avocado seed, all seeds grow new plants! Have your child plant some of the small seeds and large seeds that they find. Does the seed size have anything to do with the size of the adult plant? Why do they think seeds might be different? Avocado seeds are easy to plant and watch grow, just pierce the seed with a few toothpicks and partially submerge it in a jar of water, with the pointy side up!

Eat Plant Parts

Cooking provides many opportunities to learn about plants. Over the course of a week, have your child record some of the plant parts your family consumes. Did your child eat popcorn made from seeds? Maybe they ate broccoli flowers or carrot roots. Cereals are made from grains, which are seeds. Get your child to understand that people eat all parts of plants.

Plant Walk

Go on a plant walk with your child. Point out different plants such as flowers, grasses, and trees. Have your child observe and identify the structures of each plant and discuss their functions. If you see a dead plant, have your child figure out reasons why it did not survive.