- markers
- nonstandard measuring objects (cubes, paper clips, counters, etc.)
- real sprouts
- science notebooks
- leaves
- plant
- root
- sprout
- stem
- vein
MA Standards:
English Language Arts/Language/L.PK.MA.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, listening to books read aloud, activities, and play.
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, light, 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 Observes and discusses common properties, differences, and comparisons among objects.
Science Knowledge/Scientific Skills and Method Collects, describes, and records information through discussions, drawings, maps, and charts.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Language 2 Participate actively in discussions, listen to the ideas of others, and ask and answer relevant questions.
Science and Technology/Inquiry Skills 4 Record observations and share ideas through simple forms of representation such as drawings.
Explore Together (indoors): Edible and Nonedible Plants
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
STEM Key Concepts: Plants grow in many places; Some plants grow from seeds; Many foods that animals, including humans, eat come from plants; We eat certain leaves, roots, fruits, and seeds, Understand that a seed holds what a plant needs to make more of itself
ELA Focus Skills: Listening and Speaking, Vocabulary
Safety Tip: Remind children to wash their hands before and after the activity.
Tell children they are going to continue observing how their plants are growing and changing. Ask children if they think they will be able to eat any of their plants once they are grown. Ask, Do you think you can eat all the plants you are growing? Why do you think you cannot eat some plants? Explain that many plants are safe to eat and that children will learn more about them in the next few weeks.
Before children begin their explorations, ask them what things they would like to explore about their plants today. Make a list, such as,
- Compare how the leaves smell among the various plants
- Count the veins in the leaves
- Measure the leaves/stem/roots
- Compare the color of the leaves/stem/roots
- Compare the size and the shape of the leaves/stem/roots
- Count how many leaves/roots
Distribute magnifying lenses and have children work together to explore the plants. Help them record changes and new findings about leaves in their notebooks. Encourage them to draw any new observations on previous drawings. As children explore, notice what is capturing their attention and engage them by asking questions such as,
- What do you notice about the size of the onion bulb compared to the size of the garlic bulb?
- What do you notice about how the bean plant is growing?
- What plant grows the fastest? Why do you think that is?
Reflect and Share
Have children share their observations and their recordings. Encourage children to describe the changes their plants have gone through and prompt other children to ask questions. Include in the discussion some of the plants that they will be able to eat. Ask questions such as,
- How do you think you will know when the pea plant will be ready to eat? (when the pods have grown)
- What part of the onion plant will you eat? (bulb)
Take it Further: Have a full grown garlic plant and/or onion plant to show children when they are ready to harvest and eat. You may want to cut each one open and have children look inside and smell each plant.