Science: plants and rocks Year 3

What trees have we seen on our trail? horse chestnut hornbeam beech

Can you remember the parts of a plant and tree?

What do plants need to grow?

A healthy plant is upright with green leaves.

Plants need water to help them grow. A plant that is not watered will have a weak stem and dried up leaves and will eventually die.

Green plants need sunlight so that they can make their own food. A plant that is kept in a dark place will grow tall and spindly in search of light and then become weak and die.

as well as light. Plants grow best in the right conditions. warmth The sun gives warmth as well as light. Plants grow best in the right conditions. A seed will not produce a plant at all if it is kept too cold. The seed needs warmth to germinate (develop from a seed into a plant) and start to grow into a healthy plant.

Room to grow It is important that plants have enough room to grow so that they can receive the sunlight they need.

Plants need the good food found in soil for healthy growth. nutrients Plants need the good food found in soil for healthy growth.

Air Plants breathe in carbon dioxide in the air and turn it into oxygen, so without air they would die.

What is different for these plants?

Let’s explore

How do plants get the water they need?

How will we know if one type is better than another? Mother Shipton’s Cave staff want to plant some more trees but they need to know which soil is best to use? How will we know if one type is better than another?

Let’s watch...

Which soil would be best to use for our planting? Let’s investigate! Which soil would be best to use for our planting?

Method... Put a filter paper in each funnel Put soil in each funnel See how long the water takes to run through 3 types of soil

What did you find out?!