When teaching plant parts, try this root. Kids roll up and tape three sheets of paper towel. They do nothing to the first roll, which illustrates a taproot. Then they cut the bottom of the second in strips to model fibrous roots. For the final paper towel, they cut off the bottom. This plant has no roots. Next, they "plant" each in a cup of rice or pebbles. They pour colored water into the cup to see how each absorbs. Then they give each a little push to see whether they stay standing