Dear Year 2 Pupils,

Today, we are going to learn about grouping plants based on their stems. Stems are an important part of a plant’s structure, as they provide support and help transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.

There are two main groups of plants based on their stems: herbaceous plants and woody plants.

1. Herbaceous plants: These plants have soft, green stems that are flexible and bendable. They do not have a woody structure. Examples of herbaceous plants include grass, dandelions, and sunflowers. Herbaceous plants are usually smaller in size and have a shorter lifespan compared to woody plants.

2. Woody plants: These plants have hard, rigid stems that are made of wood. They have a strong structure that helps them stand tall and withstand harsh weather conditions. Examples of woody plants include trees, shrubs, and bushes. Woody plants can grow much taller and live for many years.

Now, let’s do a fun activity to help us understand the difference between herbaceous and woody plants. Take a piece of paper and draw two columns. In the first column, draw and write the names of herbaceous plants you can think of, and in the second column, draw and write the names of woody plants. You can also ask your parents or look around your garden to find examples of each type of plant.

Remember, grouping plants based on their stems is just one way to classify them. There are many other ways to categorize plants, such as based on their leaves, flowers, or how they reproduce. Plants are fascinating and diverse, and we can learn so much about them by observing their different characteristics.

Keep exploring and learning about the amazing world of plants!

Best wishes, [Your Name]