Water transport in plants
Pupils investigate the method of water uptake and transportation in a plant.
Investigation involves using coloured food dyes, white carnations and celery to examine the movement of water in a plant stem via Xylem vessels.
Role of Leaf Pigments in photosynthesis
Pupils investigate why leaves are green and the role they play in 'making food' for plants.
Extraction of leaf pigments using the process of chromatography where pupils learn about the role of chlorophyll and other pigments in capture of light energy from the sun. Leaves are chosen by pupils from the Sackler garden.During the Autumn months a range of different coloured leaves can be selected.
Vocabulary is tailored to the year group.
Plant adaptation
Pupils examine a range of leaf shapes found in the Sackler garden.
Pupils make botanical drawings of the different shaped leaves and relate these to the adaptation of the plant to its natural environment.
An investigation is performed on carnivorous plants to understand leaf adaptation to environment and the various methods of capturing prey.
Food Chains and Food Webs
The importance of the relationship between living things and their habitat.
Hands on practical activities that focus on the feeding relationships of plants and animals in a habitat and the importance of plants in a food chain.