Lesson/Activity Name: Roots Experiment
Overall Purpose: To inform each child about the purpose of roots, and to provide a hands on experience of how the root systems work.
Theme: Science, Roots
LESSON
Learning Standard(s):
Pre-K-LS1-1 (MA). Compare, using descriptions and drawings, the external body parts of animals (including humans) and plants and explain functions of some of the observable body parts.
Behavioral Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
Child will better understand what roots do and how they work.
Child will better understand the importance of roots.
Motivational Techniques: (What will you use to pair with lesson (i.e. a book, song, video etc)
Youtube video book read aloud. “What Do Roots Do?” by Kathleen V. Kudlinski https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOER1fz9akw
Youtube video link: “Interesting Trees Facts | Why Do Trees Have Roots?”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDDfOr93dVE
Procedures: (Step by Step how to do the activity)
-Begin by reviewing your tree diagram. Ask your child, “Where are the roots located?”
- After your review, watch “What Do Roots Do?” book read aloud.
- Follow that video with “Interesting Facts, Why Do Trees Have Roots?”
- Talk to your child about what they learned.
- Tell your child they are going to do a science experiment to learn more about how roots work. Show them the ready cup of water and the strips of paper towel. Explain that the strips of paper towel represent roots and they need to help get the roots their food! (If you want to have a bit more fun - tape paper towel strips to the inside/outside of an empty TP roll or paper towel roll to represent the trunk!)
- Ask your child to gently dip the tip of the roots into the cup of water. What is happening?
- Watch with your child as the water climbs up the paper towel. Talk with them about how this is like what roots do. Ask them again why it’s important that roots get water? (It’s one of the ways tree’s eat!)
Materials:
Wrap-up:
Ask your child “How do roots work? and “Why are roots important for trees?” before reviewing the answer with them
Review how roots work (they absorb/suck the water up into the tree and then into the tree branches).
Review why roots are important for trees (they provide water for the tree which is food for the tree, helps tree grow big and tall, they also help keep trees stay strong in one place).
Assessment:
When wrapping up the activity, ask your child “How do roots work? and “Why are roots important for trees?” before reviewing the answer with them. How much have they comprehended?
Modifications:
Child may need your assistance while holding paper towel strips in the cup of water.
Helpful Hints:
Any student may have a difficult time comprehending what roots are and why they’re important after this activity. If you notice a struggle, reference your tree diagram and remind your child where the roots are and where they are connected to the tree trunk. Go outside and look at a tree in your yard. Can you see any of the roots from the ground? Repeat the experiment afterwards if your child is interested.
These kinds of real life examples and extra review sessions may be helpful for your child to better understand the learning objectives.
Overall Purpose: To inform each child about the purpose of roots, and to provide a hands on experience of how the root systems work.
Theme: Science, Roots
LESSON
Learning Standard(s):
Pre-K-LS1-1 (MA). Compare, using descriptions and drawings, the external body parts of animals (including humans) and plants and explain functions of some of the observable body parts.
Behavioral Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
Child will better understand what roots do and how they work.
Child will better understand the importance of roots.
Motivational Techniques: (What will you use to pair with lesson (i.e. a book, song, video etc)
Youtube video book read aloud. “What Do Roots Do?” by Kathleen V. Kudlinski https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOER1fz9akw
Youtube video link: “Interesting Trees Facts | Why Do Trees Have Roots?”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDDfOr93dVE
Procedures: (Step by Step how to do the activity)
-Begin by reviewing your tree diagram. Ask your child, “Where are the roots located?”
- After your review, watch “What Do Roots Do?” book read aloud.
- Follow that video with “Interesting Facts, Why Do Trees Have Roots?”
- Talk to your child about what they learned.
- Tell your child they are going to do a science experiment to learn more about how roots work. Show them the ready cup of water and the strips of paper towel. Explain that the strips of paper towel represent roots and they need to help get the roots their food! (If you want to have a bit more fun - tape paper towel strips to the inside/outside of an empty TP roll or paper towel roll to represent the trunk!)
- Ask your child to gently dip the tip of the roots into the cup of water. What is happening?
- Watch with your child as the water climbs up the paper towel. Talk with them about how this is like what roots do. Ask them again why it’s important that roots get water? (It’s one of the ways tree’s eat!)
Materials:
- A way to watch youtube video links (computer, phone, ipad)
- Tree diagram
- Cup of water
- Paper towel cut into strips (tape onto TP or paper towel roll to act as the trunk if you can!)
- Food coloring for water (optional)
Wrap-up:
Ask your child “How do roots work? and “Why are roots important for trees?” before reviewing the answer with them
Review how roots work (they absorb/suck the water up into the tree and then into the tree branches).
Review why roots are important for trees (they provide water for the tree which is food for the tree, helps tree grow big and tall, they also help keep trees stay strong in one place).
Assessment:
When wrapping up the activity, ask your child “How do roots work? and “Why are roots important for trees?” before reviewing the answer with them. How much have they comprehended?
Modifications:
Child may need your assistance while holding paper towel strips in the cup of water.
Helpful Hints:
Any student may have a difficult time comprehending what roots are and why they’re important after this activity. If you notice a struggle, reference your tree diagram and remind your child where the roots are and where they are connected to the tree trunk. Go outside and look at a tree in your yard. Can you see any of the roots from the ground? Repeat the experiment afterwards if your child is interested.
These kinds of real life examples and extra review sessions may be helpful for your child to better understand the learning objectives.