CU 4.07Plant Life Cycle
The child sprouts a bean in a clear jar, observes germination, and sequences the stages from seed to plant to flower to fruit and new seed.
Presentation
- 1
Open a soaked bean. Show the seed coat, the two halves (cotyledons), and the tiny plant (embryo).
- 2
Line the jar with damp paper towel. Slide beans between the towel and glass.
- 3
Place the jar in a warm spot. Check with the child every day and keep the towel damp.
- 4
When the root appears, say: 'The seed is germinating. The root comes first.'
- 5
Continue to watch the shoot and first leaves grow.
- 6
Lay out the life cycle cards in order and name each stage.
- 7
Cut open an apple and find the seeds: 'The flower became a fruit, and the fruit holds new seeds.' Place the cards in a circle.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Draw the bean every two days in an observation booklet
- Sequence the cards independently and check with the control chart
- Compare the life cycles of two plants, such as a bean and a sunflower
- Plant the sprouted bean in soil and follow it to flowering
Control of error
The circular control chart shows the stages in order; the real sprouting bean shows the early stages directly.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Sequences the life cycle cards in order
- Explains that new seeds come from the fruit
- Names the parts of a seed