What plants need
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Say that plants need water, light and a suitable temperature
- Say what happens to a plant with no water, or kept in the dark
- Say why frost and too much heat can harm a plant
- Plan a fair test: change one thing and keep the rest the same
- Record results in a table and read a bar chart
You should already know
- Seeds and bulbs (Year 2, Chapter 5)
- Parts of a plant (Year 1 Science, Chapter 3)
- Seasons and weather (Year 1 Science, Chapter 9)
Where this leads
- Animals and their young (Year 2, Chapter 7)
- Plants and their needs in more detail (Year 3 Science)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 1 science, Year 2. Content: Find out and describe how plants need water to grow and stay healthy, Find out and describe how plants need light to grow and stay healthy, Find out and describe how plants need a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy, Carry out a fair test with plants: change one thing at a time, with a control.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Think about the part that holds the plant in the soil.
- Think about the part under the soil. The roots grow down into the soil.under the soil
- Write the word. The part under the ground is the root.root
- Write the answer. root
Check. The roots are under the ground. ✓
Watch out. The stem and leaves grow above the soil.
Method. Think about the order of the seasons.
- Think about spring. Spring comes first in the year.spring first
- Find the next season. After spring comes summer.summer
- Write the answer. summer
Check. The seasons go spring, summer, autumn, winter. ✓
Watch out. Summer is warmer than spring in the UK.
Method. Count the flowers once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 3 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Think about whether a rock was ever alive.
- Think about the rock. A rock is not made of living cells and never grew.never grew
- Choose the group. So a rock is never alive.never alive
- Write the answer. never alive
Check. A rock has never been alive. ✓
Watch out. Living, dead and never alive are three different groups.
Method. Start with the leaves, then take away the ones that fall off.
- Start with the leaves. The plant has 6 leaves.6 leaves
- Take away the leaves that fall. 2 leaves fall off.6 − 2 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. 4 leaves are left. ✓
Watch out. Take away the leaves that fell, not the ones still on the plant.
Plants need water
Every plant needs water to grow and stay healthy.
The roots take in water from the soil. The water helps the plant to stand up and grow.
A plant with no water becomes wilted. Its leaves droop and look tired.
Too much water can also harm a plant. So water it a little, when the soil is dry.
Key ideas
- Plants need water to grow and stay healthy.
- Roots take in water from the soil.
- A plant with no water droops and wilts.
- Too much water can harm a plant too.
Method. Think about what a plant needs to grow.
- Look at the plant. The plant is green and healthy, with water.healthy with water
- Write the answer. Every plant needs water to grow.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Plants need water to grow. ✓
Watch out. A plant with no water wilts.
Method. Think about which part is in the soil.
- Check roots. The roots are in the soil, and they take in the water.roots
- Check leaves. The leaves are above the soil. They do not take in water from it.leaves
- Write the answer. roots
Check. The roots take in water from the soil. ✓
Watch out. Roots hold the plant in the soil and drink from it.
Method. Count the drops once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Watch out
Watch out: a plant does not need a lot of water every hour. Too much water can harm the roots.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, plant two bean seeds in two small pots of soil. Water pot A every day. Water pot B only once, at the start. Keep both pots on the same windowsill. Look at them every day for a week. Wash your hands after touching soil.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which pot do you think will look healthier, and why?” Let your child predict first, then check the pots together each day.
Exercise 6A Plants need water
Method. Think about what a plant needs to grow.
- Look at the plant. The plant is green and healthy.green, healthy
- Write the answer. Every plant needs water to grow.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Plants need water to grow and stay healthy. ✓
Watch out. A plant with no water wilts.
Method. Think about which part is in the soil.
- Check roots. The roots are in the soil and take in water.roots
- Check leaves. The leaves are above the soil, so they do not take in water from it.leaves
- Write the answer. roots
Check. The roots take in water from the soil. ✓
Watch out. Roots are under the soil; leaves are above it.
Method. Think about a plant with no water.
- Check wilted. Wilted means droopy and tired, as a plant looks with no water.wilted
- Check bloomed. Bloomed means that a plant is full of flowers. It is not about water.bloomed
- Write the answer. wilted
Check. A plant with no water wilts. ✓
Watch out. Wilted leaves hang down.
Method. Think about what every plant needs.
- Read the sentence. The gap is the thing every plant needs.needs ____
- Fill the gap. Every plant needs water to stay healthy.water
- Write the answer. water
Check. Plants need water to stay healthy. ✓
Watch out. Water is needed by every plant.
Method. Think about what leaves need.
- Read the statement. Leaves do not replace the water that the roots take in.not replaced
- Check the statement. So the statement is false.false
- Write the answer. false
Check. A plant with leaves still needs water. ✓
Watch out. Leaves do not take the place of water.
Method. Count the drops once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4 5
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 5 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Look at the two pictures.
- Check A. Plant A has droopy leaves. It has had no water.A
- Check B. Plant B has green, upright leaves. It has water.B
- Write the answer. B
Check. Plant B is the healthy plant. ✓
Watch out. Healthy leaves stand up and are green.
Method. Make a prediction from what each plant gets.
- Look at pot A. Plant A gets water every day.water every day
- Look at pot B. Plant B gets no water, so it will droop.no water
- Make the prediction. So Plant A is the one that will be healthier.A
- Write the answer. A
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can check. ✓
Watch out. Check the pots each day to see if your prediction was right.
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for Plant A. It is 6.Plant A: 6
- Read the number for Plant B. It is 2.Plant B: 2
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.6 − 2 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Add the difference back on: 2 + 4 = 6. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.Monday 3, Tuesday 2
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.3 + 2 = 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 5. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Think about how much water a plant needs.
- Read Sam’s idea. Sam thinks a plant needs water every hour.every hour
- Check the idea. Too much water can harm a plant, so Sam is not right.too much harms
- Write the answer. no
Check. Sam is not right. Plants need water, but not every hour. ✓
Watch out. Water a plant a little, when the soil is dry.
Method. Think about what the roots do.
- Think about the roots. The roots are under the soil.under the soil
- Give the reason. So the roots can take in water for the plant.to take in water
- Write the answer. to take in water
Check. Also accept: to take in water from the soil. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about what the roots do.
Method. Read Ali’s idea and check it.
- Read Ali’s idea. Ali thinks sun means the plant needs no water.sun, no water
- Check the idea. A plant in the sun still needs water to stay healthy.still needs water
- Write the answer. no
Check. Ali is not right. The sun does not replace water. ✓
Watch out. Light and water are both needed.
Plants need light
Plants need light to grow and stay healthy.
Light helps the leaves to make food for the plant. A healthy plant has green leaves.
A plant kept in the dark goes pale. Its stem grows long and thin, and its leaves are small and pale.
Plants on a windowsill often lean towards the light.
Key ideas
- Plants need light to grow and stay healthy.
- Light helps the leaves make food.
- A plant in the dark goes pale and thin.
- Plants often lean towards a window.
Method. Think about what light does for the leaves.
- Look at the plant. The plant is in the light, and its leaves are green.green in light
- Write the answer. Light helps the leaves stay green and healthy.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Plants need light to stay green. ✓
Watch out. A plant in the dark loses its green colour.
Method. Make a prediction from what you know about the dark.
- Think about the dark. A plant in the dark has no light for its leaves.no light
- Make the prediction. So the plant will probably turn pale.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can check. ✓
Watch out. Check the plant after a few days to see if the prediction was right.
Method. Count the leaves once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4 5
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 5 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Watch out
Watch out: a pale plant is not dead. It needs light again to grow strong and green.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, put one bean plant in a dark cupboard for three days. Keep a second plant on a windowsill. Look at both each day together. After three days, bring the plant out into the light. Do not leave it in the dark for longer. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which plant looks paler? Why do you think that is?” Let your child draw both plants each day and compare them.
Exercise 6B Plants need light
Method. Think about what light does for a plant.
- Look at the two plants. The plant in the light is green and healthy.green in light
- Write the answer. Plants need light to grow and stay healthy.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Plants need light to grow. ✓
Watch out. Light helps the leaves to make food.
Method. Think about the plant in the dark.
- Check pale. A plant in the dark goes pale and thin.pale
- Check dark green. A healthy plant in the light is dark green, not one in the dark.dark green
- Write the answer. pale
Check. A plant in the dark goes pale. ✓
Watch out. The leaves need light to stay green.
Method. Think about what the leaves need to make food.
- Read the sentence. The leaves need one thing to make food.one thing
- Fill the gap. Leaves use light to help make food.light
- Write the answer. light
Check. Leaves use light to make food. ✓
Watch out. Light is the thing the leaves need.
Method. Look at the two pictures.
- Check A. Plant A is inside a dark cupboard, with pale leaves.A
- Check B. Plant B is in a bright sky, with green leaves.B
- Write the answer. A
Check. The plant in the dark is picture A. ✓
Watch out. Picture B has the sun and the bright sky.
Method. Think about a plant with no light.
- Read the statement. A plant with no light cannot make food well.no light
- Check the statement. So a plant in the dark does not stay healthy.false
- Write the answer. false
Check. A plant in the dark does not stay healthy. ✓
Watch out. Put the plant back in the light.
Method. Count the leaves once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4 5 6
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 6 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for Plant A. It is 7.Plant A: 7
- Read the number for Plant B. It is 2.Plant B: 2
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.7 − 2 = 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Add the difference back on: 2 + 5 = 7. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.on the windowsill 3, in the cupboard 2
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.3 + 2 = 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 5. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Make a prediction from what the plant needs.
- Look at the plant. The plant is green before it goes in the cupboard.green
- Make the prediction. With no light, the plant will probably turn pale.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can test. ✓
Watch out. Check the plant each day, and write down what you see.
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for in the light. It is 5.in the light: 5
- Read the number for in the dark. It is 2.in the dark: 2
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.5 − 2 = 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Add the difference back on: 2 + 3 = 5. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Read Ali’s idea and check it.
- Read Ali’s idea. Ali thinks the plant bends towards the light.bends to light
- Check the idea. Many plants lean towards a window, so Ali is right.lean to window
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Ali is right. Plants often lean towards the light. ✓
Watch out. Look at a plant on a windowsill to see this for yourself.
Method. Think about what the leaves need.
- Think about the leaves. Leaves need light to make food and keep their green colour.need light
- Give the reason. So the plant with no light turns pale.no light
- Write the answer. it has no light
Check. Also accept: it cannot make food. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about light and the leaves.
Method. Think about what a plant needs.
- Read Ella’s idea. Ella thinks light matters more than water.light more
- Check the idea. A plant needs both light and water to stay healthy.both needed
- Write the answer. no
Check. Ella is not right. A plant needs both. ✓
Watch out. Plants need several things together.
Plants need a suitable temperature
Plants need a suitable temperature. That means not too hot, and not too cold.
Most plants grow best in mild weather. Seeds need some warmth to start growing.
Frost is ice on the ground. Frost can damage plants. Very hot, dry weather can make plants wilt.
In winter, many plants grow slowly, because it is cold and the days are short.
Key ideas
- Plants need a suitable temperature to grow.
- Not too hot, and not too cold.
- Frost can damage plants.
- Plants often grow more slowly in winter.
Method. Think about which season has the warmest days.
- Check summer. Summer has the warmest days in the UK.summer
- Check winter. Winter has the coldest days in the UK.winter
- Write the answer. summer
Check. Summer is the warmest season in the UK. ✓
Watch out. Winter is the coldest season.
Method. Think about what frost does.
- Look at the picture. The snow shows cold weather, and frost is cold ice.cold ice
- Write the answer. Frost can damage a plant, so the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Frost can damage plants. ✓
Watch out. Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
Method. Read the thermometer from the bottom of the red line.
- Find the top of the red. The red line stops at the mark for 18.red at 18
- Read the mark. The temperature is 18 degrees Celsius.18 °C
- Write the answer. 18
Check. The temperature is 18 degrees Celsius. ✓
Watch out. Count the marks up from 0 to find the number.
Watch out
Watch out: do not put a plant on a radiator, near a cooker or in a hot car. Heat can dry it out.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, put one bean plant in a cool room and one in a warm room. Give both water and light. Keep both away from radiators and heaters. Look at them each week and write what you see. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Is this room warm or cold for a plant?” Let your child read the thermometer and say the number out loud.
Exercise 6C Plants and temperature
Method. Think about what plants need to grow.
- Think about the cold. Very cold weather slows plants down and can harm them.slows down
- Write the answer. Plants do not grow best in very cold weather.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Plants need a suitable temperature, not very cold. ✓
Watch out. Mild weather suits most plants.
Method. Read the sentence.
- Read the gap. The gap is a word that means right for the plant.right for it
- Fill the gap. Plants need a suitable temperature to grow.suitable
- Write the answer. suitable
Check. Plants need a suitable temperature. ✓
Watch out. Not too hot and not too cold.
Method. Think about which season is warmest.
- Check summer. Summer is the warmest season in the UK.summer
- Check winter. Winter is the coldest season in the UK.winter
- Write the answer. summer
Check. Summer is the warmest season. ✓
Watch out. Think about the sunniest days of the year.
Method. Think about frost.
- Think about the frost. Frost is ice on the ground, and it is very cold.very cold
- Write the answer. So frost can damage plants.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Frost can damage plants. ✓
Watch out. Frost is not a friend to tender plants.
Method. Think about a plant in hot, dry weather.
- Think about the leaves. With no water, the leaves droop and wilt.droop
- Check the statement. So the statement is true.true
- Write the answer. true
Check. Hot, dry weather can make a plant wilt. ✓
Watch out. Water the plant when the soil is dry.
Method. Read the thermometer from the bottom of the red line.
- Find the top of the red. The red line stops at the mark for 12.red at 12
- Read the mark. The temperature is 12 degrees Celsius.12 °C
- Write the answer. 12
Check. The temperature is 12 degrees Celsius. ✓
Watch out. Count up from 0, in steps of 1.
Method. Look at the two pictures.
- Check A. Picture A shows snow, which is cold weather.A
- Check B. Picture B shows the sun, which is warm weather.B
- Write the answer. A
Check. Picture A shows the cold weather. ✓
Watch out. Snow falls in cold weather.
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for summer. It is 9.summer: 9
- Read the number for winter. It is 3.winter: 3
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.9 − 3 = 6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Add the difference back on: 3 + 6 = 9. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for warm room. It is 6.warm room: 6
- Read the number for cool hall. It is 4.cool hall: 4
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.6 − 4 = 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Add the difference back on: 4 + 2 = 6. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Make a prediction from what frost does.
- Think about the frost. Frost is very cold, and a bean plant is tender.tender plant
- Make the prediction. So the plant will probably be harmed.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can check. ✓
Watch out. Bring tender plants indoors, or cover them, when frost is forecast.
Method. Think about heat and plants.
- Read Lily’s idea. Lily thinks a radiator helps plants grow fastest.radiator
- Check the idea. Too much heat can dry a plant out and harm it.too much heat
- Write the answer. no
Check. Lily is not right. Plants should not be on a radiator. ✓
Watch out. Keep plants away from heaters, cookers and hot cars.
Method. Think about the winter weather.
- Think about the weather. Winter is colder, and the days are shorter.colder, shorter
- Give the reason. So plants grow slowly, because it is cold.it is cold
- Write the answer. it is cold
Check. Also accept: the days are short. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about the weather.
Method. Think about what the plant needs.
- Read Ben’s idea. Ben thinks more warmth always means more growth.always more
- Check the idea. Only a suitable temperature helps. Too much heat harms a plant.suitable only
- Write the answer. no
Check. Ben is not right. The temperature must be suitable. ✓
Watch out. A plant needs the right amount of warmth, not as much as possible.
A fair test with plants
A fair test changes one thing at a time. Everything else stays the same.
In a fair test with plants, we keep the same pot, the same soil, the same kind of seed, and the same amount of water.
A control is a plant that is kept as normal. We compare the other plants with it.
Before the test, we make a prediction. Then we check whether it was right.
Key ideas
- Change one thing at a time.
- Keep everything else the same.
- Use the same amount of water for each plant.
- A control is kept as normal, to compare.
Method. Look at what the test changes.
- Check light. The test puts one plant in the dark, so the light is the thing changed.light
- Check water. Every plant gets the same water, so water is not changed.water
- Write the answer. light
Check. The light is the one thing changed. ✓
Watch out. Keep the water the same for every plant.
Method. Think about what must be kept the same.
- Check water. The water is kept the same, so the test is fair.water
- Check light. The light is the thing we change, so it is not kept the same.light
- Write the answer. water
Check. The water is kept the same. ✓
Watch out. Only change one thing at a time.
Method. Count the plants once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 3 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Watch out
Watch out: changing two things at once is not a fair test. We cannot tell which one made the difference.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, plan a fair test with three bean seeds in three pots. Write down the one thing you will change, and the things you will keep the same. Ask a grown-up to check your plan before you start. Wash your hands after touching soil.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “What will you change? What must stay the same?” Let your child write the plan in their own words, with a grown-up checking it.
Exercise 6D A fair test
Method. Think about a fair test.
- Check one. A fair test changes one thing, so we can tell what made the difference.one
- Check many. Changing many things at once is not fair.many
- Write the answer. one
Check. A fair test changes one thing. ✓
Watch out. Only one thing changes at a time.
Method. Read the sentence.
- Read the gap. The gap is a word that means not changed.not changed
- Fill the gap. In a fair test, everything else is kept the same.same
- Write the answer. same
Check. Everything else is kept the same. ✓
Watch out. Think about what stays the same.
Method. Think about a fair test.
- Think about the water. The water is kept the same in a fair test.kept the same
- Write the answer. So every plant gets the same amount of water.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Every plant gets the same water in a fair test. ✓
Watch out. The same water keeps the test fair.
Method. Think about a fair test.
- Think about the water. One plant with more water changes two things.two things
- Write the answer. So it is not fair.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. It is not fair to give one plant more water. ✓
Watch out. Keep the water the same for every plant.
Method. Think about what a control is for.
- Read the sentence. The control is used to check the other plants.check
- Fill the gap. So we can compare it with the others.compare
- Write the answer. compare
Check. A control lets us compare the plants. ✓
Watch out. A control is the plant kept as normal.
Method. Count the plants once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Look at what is different in the test.
- Check light. The plant in the dark has no light. That is the one thing changed.light
- Check pot. The pots are the same, so the pot is not changed.pot
- Write the answer. light
Check. The light is the one thing changed. ✓
Watch out. Check that only one thing is different.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.Plant A 2, Plant B 2, Plant C 2
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.2 + 2 + 2 = 6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 6. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.pot 1 3, pot 2 3, pot 3 3
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.3 + 3 + 3 = 9
- Write the answer. 9
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 9. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Take away the seed that does not grow.
- Start with the seeds planted. Ali plants 4 seeds.4 seeds
- Take away the seed that does not grow. 1 seed does not grow.4 − 1 = 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. 3 seeds grow. ✓
Watch out. Count the seeds that grow, not the one that does not.
Method. Make a prediction from the one thing that changes.
- Think about the change. Only the light changes, so the plant in the dark is the one changed.light only
- Make the prediction. So the plant in the dark will probably grow fewer leaves.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can check. ✓
Watch out. Record the leaves on each plant to check your prediction.
Method. Think about how many things change.
- Count the changes. Two things change: the water and the light.two changes
- Write the answer. We cannot tell which change made the difference, so it is not fair.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Two things changed, so it is not a fair test. ✓
Watch out. Change only one thing at a time.
Method. Think about the pots.
- Think about the pots. A bigger pot could change how the plant grows.bigger pot
- Give the reason. So the pot does not change the result.fair
- Write the answer. so the test is fair
Check. Also accept: so only one thing changes. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about keeping the same things.
Recording and looking at results
Scientists record their results, so they can compare them later. A table keeps the numbers in order.
A bar chart shows the same results as bars. The tallest bar has the most.
When the test is done, look at the results. Then say what they show. This is a conclusion.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Key ideas
- Record results in a table, in order.
- A bar chart shows the results as bars.
- Count the leaves the same way each time.
- A conclusion says what the results show.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Compare the numbers. The biggest number is the most.
- Write down each number. Put each number next to its name.Plant A 8, Plant B 4, Plant C 2
- Find the biggest number. 8 is the biggest number.biggest: 8
- Write the answer. Plant A has 8.Plant A
Check. Every other number is smaller than 8. ✓
Watch out. Check every number, not only the first two.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.Plant A 8, Plant B 4, Plant C 2
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.8 + 4 + 2 = 14
- Write the answer. 14
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 14. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for Plant A. It is 8.Plant A: 8
- Read the number for Plant B. It is 4.Plant B: 4
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.8 − 4 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Add the difference back on: 4 + 4 = 8. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Watch out
Watch out: read the number at the top of each bar, and check which plant the bar is for.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, choose one plant in a pot or in the garden. Count its leaves each day for four days. Write each count in a tally chart. Do not pick the leaves. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which plant had the most leaves? Which had the fewest?” Let your child read the table aloud and say the answer.
Exercise 6E Recording and looking at results
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Compare the numbers. The smallest number is the fewest.
- Write down each number. Put each number next to its name.Plant A 8, Plant B 4, Plant C 2
- Find the smallest number. 2 is the smallest number.smallest: 2
- Write the answer. Plant C has 2.Plant C
Check. Every other number is bigger than 2. ✓
Watch out. Check every number, not only the first two.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | ? |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Find the row for Plant B.
- Find the row. Plant B is the second row of the table.Plant B row
- Read the number. The number of leaves on Plant B is 4.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Plant B has 4 leaves. ✓
Watch out. Read the number on the right of the row.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Read the middle column of the table.
- Read the column. The middle column says where each plant was grown.where grown
- Find the dark. Plant B was grown in the dark, with water.dark
- Write the answer. Plant B
Check. Plant B was grown in the dark. ✓
Watch out. Read along the row to find the words.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Read the middle column of the table.
- Read the column. Plant C was grown with no water.no water
- Write the name. So Plant C is the plant with no water.Plant C
- Write the answer. Plant C
Check. Plant C had no water. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole row before you answer.
Method. Find the tallest bar for Plant A.
- Find the bar. The first bar is Plant A.first bar
- Read the number. The bar shows 8 leaves.8
- Write the answer. 8
Check. Plant A has 8 leaves. ✓
Watch out. Read the number at the top of the bar.
Method. Count the leaves once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 2 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for Plant A. It is 8.Plant A: 8
- Read the number for Plant C. It is 2.Plant C: 2
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.8 − 2 = 6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Add the difference back on: 2 + 6 = 8. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.Plant A 8, Plant B 4
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.8 + 4 = 12
- Write the answer. 12
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 12. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Compare the two plants.
- Check light. Plant A was in the light and had 8 leaves.light
- Check dark. Plant B was in the dark and had 4 leaves.dark
- Write the answer. light
Check. The plant in the light had more leaves. ✓
Watch out. Compare the two numbers in the table.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Look at what changed between the two plants.
- Find the change. Only the light changed, and both had water.only light
- Write the conclusion. So light helped the plant grow more leaves.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. The results show that light helps leaves grow. ✓
Watch out. Only one thing changed, so the test is fair.
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for Friday. It is 5.Friday: 5
- Read the number for Monday. It is 2.Monday: 2
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.5 − 2 = 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Add the difference back on: 2 + 3 = 5. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Read the leaves column.
- Read Ben’s idea. Ben thinks Plant B had the most leaves.most leaves
- Check the table. Plant B had 4 leaves, but Plant A had 8.Plant A has most
- Write the answer. no
Check. Ben is not right. Plant A had the most leaves. ✓
Watch out. Compare every number, not only two of them.
| Plant | How it was grown | Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Plant A | in the light, with water | 8 |
| Plant B | in the dark, with water | 4 |
| Plant C | in the light, with no water | 2 |
Method. Think about comparing the results.
- Think about the counts. The same way each time means the counts can be compared.compared
- Give the reason. So the results are fair and can be compared.fair
- Write the answer. so the results are fair
Check. Also accept: so we can compare the results. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about comparing the counts.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Water | Plants need water to grow and stay healthy. Roots take in water from the soil. |
| Light | Plants need light. A plant in the dark goes pale and thin. |
| Temperature | Plants need a suitable temperature. Frost can damage them, and too much heat can dry them out. |
| Fair test | Change one thing at a time. Keep everything else the same, and use a control. |
| Results | Record results in a table. A bar chart shows them, and a conclusion says what they show. |
| Safety | Never eat seeds, bulbs or plants. Wash your hands after touching soil. |
Can you…?
- I can say that plants need water to grow and stay healthy
- I can say that a plant in the dark goes pale and thin
- I can say that plants need a suitable temperature
- I can plan a fair test: change one thing and keep the rest the same
- I can record results in a table and read a bar chart
- I never eat a plant, and I wash my hands after touching soil
Key terms
- wilted
- droopy and tired, as a plant looks when it has no water
- healthy
- strong and well, with green leaves
- pale
- light in colour, not green, as a plant can look in the dark
- suitable temperature
- not too hot and not too cold for a plant to grow well
- frost
- ice on the ground in very cold weather, which can damage plants
- fair test
- a test where only one thing changes and everything else is kept the same
- control
- a plant kept as normal, so the other plants can be compared with it
- prediction
- a sensible guess about what will happen, which we can check
- record
- write down what you see or measure, so it can be compared later
- bar chart
- a chart that shows numbers as bars, so they are easy to compare
Exercise 6Z Check-up
Method. Read the sentence.
- Read the gap. The gap is what water helps a plant to do.helps it
- Fill the gap. Water helps a plant to grow and stay healthy.grow
- Write the answer. grow
Check. Water helps a plant to grow. ✓
Watch out. Water helps the plant in many ways.
Method. Count the drops once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 3 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Think about where food is made.
- Read the sentence. Light is used to make food in the green part of the plant.green part
- Fill the gap. Plants make food in their leaves.leaves
- Write the answer. leaves
Check. Plants make food in their leaves. ✓
Watch out. The leaves are green and catch light.
Method. Think about the temperature a plant needs.
- Read the statement. A suitable temperature helps a plant grow.suitable
- Check the statement. So the statement is true.true
- Write the answer. true
Check. Plants need a suitable temperature. ✓
Watch out. Not too hot, and not too cold.
Method. Read the thermometer from the bottom of the red line.
- Find the top of the red. The red line stops at the mark for 14.red at 14
- Read the mark. The temperature is 14 degrees Celsius.14 °C
- Write the answer. 14
Check. The temperature is 14 degrees Celsius. ✓
Watch out. Count up from 0 to find the number.
Method. Think about a fair test.
- Think about the rule. A fair test changes one thing at a time.one thing
- Write the answer. So only one thing changes at a time.1
- Write the answer. 1
Check. A fair test changes one thing at a time. ✓
Watch out. One thing changes, and the rest stay the same.
Method. Count the leaves once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4 5
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 5 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Find each number. Then take the smaller number away from the bigger number.
- Read the number for in the light. It is 9.in the light: 9
- Read the number for in the dark. It is 5.in the dark: 5
- Take the smaller number away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.9 − 5 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Add the difference back on: 5 + 4 = 9. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.Monday 4, Tuesday 3
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.4 + 3 = 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 7. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Think about a plant in the cold.
- Read Ali’s idea. Ali thinks cold weather means no water is needed.no water
- Check the idea. A plant still needs water, even in the cold.still needs
- Write the answer. no
Check. Ali is not right. Plants still need water. ✓
Watch out. Cold weather does not remove the need for water.
Total 15 marks. Allow about 15 minutes.
Exercise 6X End-of-chapter quiz
Method. Count the leaves once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Think about which season has the coldest days.
- Check summer. Summer is the warmest season in the UK.summer
- Check winter. Winter is the coldest season in the UK.winter
- Write the answer. winter
Check. Winter is the coldest season. ✓
Watch out. Frost is most likely in winter.
Method. Read the sentence.
- Read the gap. The gap is the thing the leaves make with light.made in leaves
- Fill the gap. Light helps the leaves to make food.food
- Write the answer. food
Check. Light helps the leaves to make food. ✓
Watch out. Leaves make food, using light.
Method. Think about what a control is.
- Read the sentence. The plant kept as normal is used to compare.compare
- Fill the gap. That plant is the control.control
- Write the answer. control
Check. A control is the plant kept as normal. ✓
Watch out. Keep the control the same as the others, except for one thing.
Method. Think about the test.
- Think about the water. If one plant gets more water, the test is not fair.not fair
- Give the reason. So the water does not change the result.fair
- Write the answer. so the test is fair
Check. Also accept: so only one thing changes. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about a fair test.
Method. Read Ben’s idea and check it.
- Read Ben’s idea. Ben thinks frost is safe for plants.safe
- Check the idea. Frost can damage plants, so Ben is not right.damage
- Write the answer. no
Check. Ben is not right. Frost can harm plants. ✓
Watch out. Protect tender plants from frost.
Method. Add the new leaves to the leaves Sam has.
- Start with the leaves. Sam’s plant has 5 leaves.5 leaves
- Add the new leaves. 2 new leaves grow.5 + 2 = 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. There are 7 leaves now. ✓
Watch out. Add the new leaves, do not take them away.
Method. Think about a plant with no light.
- Read the statement. A plant in the dark does not have light for its leaves.no light
- Check the statement. So the plant turns pale. The statement is true.true
- Write the answer. true
Check. A plant in the dark turns pale. ✓
Watch out. Put the plant back in the light.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.pot 1 3, pot 2 5
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.3 + 5 = 8
- Write the answer. 8
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 8. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Think about what the leaves do with light.
- Think about the leaves. Leaves use light to make food for the plant.make food
- Give the reason. So the plant can grow and stay healthy.to make food
- Write the answer. to make food
Check. Also accept: to grow and stay healthy. ✓
Watch out. Give a reason about food and light.