Grade 6 Science And Technology Living Things – Plants Notes
Science & Technology — Living Things
Subtopic: Plants
What is a plant?
Plants are living things that usually stay in one place. They make their own food using sunlight, water and air. Plants can be small like herbs growing in a kitchen garden or very big like trees on a farm or in a forest. In Kenya we see many kinds of plants such as maize, tea, coffee, mango, acacia and baobab.
Types of plants (easy examples)
- Trees: tall, woody plants (e.g., acacia, mango, baobab).
- Shrubs: smaller woody plants (e.g., some tea bushes).
- Herbs: soft-stemmed plants (e.g., sukuma wiki/kale, spinach).
- Climbers: plants that climb (e.g., some beans).
- Grasses and crops: maize, sorghum, rice.
Parts of a plant and what they do
- Roots: hold the plant in soil and take water and minerals.
- Stem: supports the plant and carries water and food between roots and leaves.
- Leaves: make food using sunlight (photosynthesis).
- Flowers: help with making seeds (reproduction).
- Fruits: protect seeds and help in spreading them.
- Seeds: grow into new plants.
A simple plant — labels show main parts
How plants make food (simple explanation)
Plants use sunlight, water (from the soil) and carbon dioxide (from the air) to make food in their leaves. This process is called photosynthesis. The food helps plants to grow and gives us oxygen to breathe.
Simple formula: Sunlight + Water + Air (carbon dioxide) —> Plant food + Oxygen
Life cycle of a flowering plant (easy steps)
- Seed — the life starts here.
- Germination — seed grows root and shoot when given water and warmth.
- Seedling — small young plant grows leaves and stem.
- Adult plant — makes flowers.
- Pollination and fertilisation — flowers form seeds.
- Fruit & seed dispersal — new seeds spread and can grow into new plants.
Why plants are important
- Provide food for people and animals (e.g., maize, beans, fruits).
- Give us oxygen and clean the air.
- Provide wood, medicine and materials (e.g., medicines from some Kenyan plants).
- Prevent soil erosion and help rainwater soak into the ground.
- Give shade and homes for birds and insects.
How to look after plants — simple tips
- Plant in good soil and add compost where possible.
- Water regularly (but do not water swampy soil).
- Give plants enough sunlight (most need sun for part of the day).
- Remove weeds and protect young plants from animals.
- Plant native trees (e.g., acacia, croton) to help local wildlife and conserve water.
Activity: Try this at home or in school
- Plant three bean seeds in separate cups: give one full water, one little water, one no water.
- Keep them in sunlight and watch for 2 weeks. Record which grows best.
- Draw or write results in your notebook (height, number of leaves).
Glossary (easy)
- Photosynthesis
- How plants make food using sunlight.
- Germination
- When a seed starts to grow.
- Pollination
- Transfer of pollen so flowers can make seeds.
Review questions (try them)
- Name three parts of a plant and one job for each.
- Explain in one sentence why plants are important to people in Kenya.
- What does a seed need to start germinating?
- Draw one plant you see at home and label the parts.
Good luck! Take care of plants — they take care of us.