- children’s bean, grass, and onion bulb plants
- connecting cubes
- construction paper cut into strips
- glue
- measuring stick
- paper
- paper clips
- paper cups
- science notebooks
- scissors
- tape
- measure
- plant
MA Standards:
Mathematics/Measurement and Data/PK.MD.MA.1: Recognize the attributes of length, area, weight, and capacity of everyday objects using appropriate vocabulary (e.g., long, short, tall heavy, lights, big, small, wide, narrow).
Head Start Outcomes:
Logic and Reasoning/Reasoning and Problem Solving: Classifies, compares, and contrasts objects, events, and experiences.
Science Knowledge/Scientific Skills and Method: Collects, describes, and records information through discussions, drawings, maps, and charts.
Science Knowledge/Scientific Skills and Method: Observes and discusses common properties, differences, and comparisons among objects.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
Mathematics/Measurement 14: Use nonstandard units to measure length, weight, and amount of content in familiar objects.
Explore Together (indoors): More Measuring Plants
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
STEM Key Concepts: Measure with nonstandard measurement tools; Measurement is a way of understanding plant growth
ELA Focus Skills: Listening and Speaking, Vocabulary
Safety Tips: Remind children to wash their hands before and after the activity.
Review with children the measuring activity from last week. Tell children they are going to explore different ways to measure their plants.
Display the stacking cubes, construction paper strips, paper cups, paper clips, a ruler, scissors, and a sheet of paper. Tell children that you want them to think of ways to use the materials to measure the height of their plants, or how tall their plants are. Tell children to add their findings to the graph they made while measuring last week.
Have children work in small groups to measure plants. Let groups explore freely and offer guidance as needed. Circulate, listen, and engage children when you notice something that sparks their interest. Ask questions such as,
- Why didn’t you use the blocks to measure how tall your bean seeds are?
- Why do you think the grass leaves in the cups have grown taller than the grass leaves on the paper towels?
Help children record their findings on the graph. Then encourage them to use their science notebooks to record their findings there as well. Prompt them to compare their new measurements with previous measurements they took of their plants in earlier weeks. Encourage children to measure other parts of their plants after they have recorded the height of their plant.
Reflect and Share
Gather children once they have finished measuring their plants and have them share their findings. Ask children questions such as,
- What did you find out about your plants from measuring them?
- Which plants have grown the most? Which have grown the least (not very much)?
- What do you think you can learn about your plants from measuring them each week?