New
New
Year 1

Structure of a tree

I can name different parts of trees.

New
New
Year 1

Structure of a tree

I can name different parts of trees.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Trees are plants and are made up of different parts
  2. Trees have roots hidden under the ground
  3. The stem of a tree is often known as the trunk
  4. Branches and twigs grow out of the trunk to support leaves, flowers and fruit
  5. Different parts of trees can be identified and named using observation skills

Common misconception

Children may not realise that trees are plants.

Explanation that trees are a type of plant.

Keywords

  • Tree - A tree is a plant which has a trunk supporting leaves and branches.

  • Roots - The part of a plant that anchors it in the soil is called the root. Roots take in water for the plant.

  • Trunk - The trunk of a tree is its main stem. The trunk is usually covered in protective bark.

  • Branches - The branches of a tree are the parts that grow out from its trunk and have leaves.

  • Leaves - A leaf is the part of a plant where the plant makes its food using the process of photosynthesis.

Try exploring different trees and comparing bark and leaf rubbings. This is a great opportunity to create your own class tree display using the work that the children have created as part of this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Outdoor access to a range of trees.

Content guidance

  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is a plant?
a cat
a bicycle
Correct answer: a daisy
Q2.
Which of these is not a plant?
an apple tree
Correct answer: a stone
a geranium
Q3.
True or false? Plants only grow inside in pots.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: false, False, false., False.
Q4.
Scientists can identify plants by looking closely at them. What does identify mean?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Identify means being able to name a plant correctly.
Identify means checking how tall a plant is.
Identify means looking after a plant.
Q5.
Scientists look closely at plants to see how they grow and change. What skill are they using?
An image in a quiz
counting
Correct answer: observing
growing
Q6.
Laura is observing a sycamore tree. She notices that some of the leaves have turned from green to orange and that some branches have no leaves on them. Why do you think this is?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Plants grow and change throughout the year.
The tree is ill so all the leaves are falling off.
Someone has painted the leaves a different colour.
It is spring and new leaves are growing.
Q1 image 2 © Alena Nv/Shutterstock.com Q6 autumn leaf

6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Trees are plants that are made up of different parts.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: true
false
Q2.
The stem of a tree is called a ...
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: trunk, Trunk, trunk.
Q3.
Which of the following is not a part of a tree?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: grass
roots
leaves
trunk
branches
Q4.
Which skill do we use to help us to name different parts of trees?
An image in a quiz
sorting
counting
Correct answer: observing
Q5.
Branches and twigs support ...
An image in a quiz
the roots of a tree.
Correct answer: the leaves, flowers and fruit of a tree.
the trunk of a tree.
Q6.
Lucas draws a picture of a tree. Which part of the tree has he forgotten?
An image in a quiz
leaves
trunk
Correct answer: roots