Plant Structure
Plants come in weird and wonderful shapes and sizes but all have the same basic structures and functions. Australia's native plants are unique and diverse and provide wonderful insights into the variable nature of plant forms.
Roots, leaves, stems and flowers - delve deeper into why these structures are important and discover their role in the plant's survival. Take a closer look at the delicate structures that make up a flower, from pollinator-attracting petals to the female pistil and the male stamen.
There is more to a plant than meets the eye.
Learning Objectives
The education resources within the Plant Structure module are designed to help students:
- identify the basic structural elements of a generic flowering plant
- identify the structural elements of several specific Australian plants
- understand the functions and parts of a flowering plant
- explore links between plant structure and the physical environment.
Each lesson within the lesson plans and the field kits has individual learning intentions appropriate to the activity. Links to the Australian Curriculum are found within the individual resources.
Teacher Resources
Plant structure|Years 4-6Plant Structure Field Kit
A full suite of outdoor activities related to plant structure. Collect specimens and then decide whether to press them, draw them, dissect them, or all three!
Tags:Plant structureFlowering plantFlower
Plant structure|Years 4-6Plant Structure Lesson 1 - Plant parts detectivesLearn the names and functions of different plant parts, from roots to flowers. Create an anchor chart, a word wall and create your own plant.
Tags:Plant structureFlowering plantFlower
Plant structure|Years 4-6Plant Structure Lesson 2 - Function of stem, roots and leavesExplore the anatomy of plants and how they use the vascular system in their roots, stem and leaves to transport water and nutrients. Design an investigation to demonstrate the function of each of the structural elements of a plant. Examine case studies and explore photosynthesis.
Tags:Plant structureFlowerNative plant
Plant structure|Years 4-6Plant Structure Lesson 3 - Parts of a flowerDeconstruct a flower to discover all its amazing parts. Design and create your own flower to demonstrate your knowledge.
Tags:Plant structureFlowerFlowering plant
Plant structure|Years 4-6Plant Structure Teachers' NotesBackground information for educators about plant structure. From roots to flowers, explore the structure and function of our native Australian plants.
Tags:Plant structureFlowering plantNative plant
Plant structure|Years 4-6Plant Structure Video 1
Discover the names and functions of plant parts from roots to flowers. Visit the Australian National Herbarium to learn how botanists use this knowledge.
Tags:Plant structureFlowering plantFlower
