SCIENCE: The Life Cycle of Plants

We are learning about plants! What their parts are, and how they grow. Something cool to talk about at home with your kids!

What Do Different Plant Parts Do?

Plant parts do different things for the plant.

Roots

Roots act like straws absorbing water and minerals from the soil. Tiny root hairs stick out of the root, helping in the absorption. Roots help to anchor the plant in the soil so it does not fall over. Roots also store extra food for future use.

Stems

Stems do many things. They support the plant. They act like the plant's plumbing system, conducting water and nutrients from the roots and food in the form of glucose from the leaves to other plant parts. Stems can be herbaceous like the bendable stem of a daisy or woody like the trunk of an oak tree.


Leaves

Most plants' food is made in their leaves. Leaves are designed to capture sunlight which the plant uses to make food through a process called photosynthesis.

Flowers

Flowers are the reproductive part of most plants. Flowers contain pollen and tiny eggs called ovules. After pollination of the flower and fertilization of the ovule, the ovule develops into a fruit.

Fruit

Fruit provides a covering for seeds. Fruit can be fleshy like an apple or hard like a nut.

Seeds

Seeds contain new plants. Seeds form in fruit.

(Taken from: http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/parts.html --> Check out their animation)

We planted some grass in the Science Lab with Mr. Cosby, but... since we were away for 6 weeks and plants need water (among other things)... Well... Woops! Let the picture say it all...

So we planted new ones!! And we will take REALLY good care of them! Here are some fun videos you can watch at home with your child and talk about Science:

Life Cycle of Plants:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxaELwrTChs&feature=channel
http://vimeo.com/1140592

Parts of a Plant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX2m2n2uDAE&feature=channel