No need of attach de $root to the variable, the flow of scope in angular is first search in the local scope for the variable, if not found search the property in $scope.parent, and the rootScope if the high level of parent if not match with any else, then search there.
http://plnkr.co/edit/3ENyPRwrFq5ssR2uLtQy
In this plnkr look the usage of the root scope
Controller:
app.controller('MainCtrl', ["$scope", "$rootScope", function($scope, $rootScope) {
$rootScope.varRoot = {
element: "Jesús"
};
}]
);
HTML:
<body ng-controller="MainCtrl">
<p>Hello {{varRoot.element}}!</p>
<input type="text" ng-model="varRoot.element">
</body>