Growing Beans in Baggies

Spring is filled with opportunities for natural science learning. You can invite your preschoolers to plant seeds and talk about how plants grow. Of course, this is also a good time to talk about life cycles of plants and animals. Recently we explored planting and growing beans. First, we planted some dry lima beans in dirt. Then we experimented with planting seeds in a different environment. This was a great science exploration in my classroom.

Planting Seeds in Dirt

We planted seeds in dirt in some large pots. We watered the seeds and put them on the windowsill in our classroom to see if they would grow.

The children were very curious about would happen to the seeds we planted. Each day they checked on them to see if they had grown.

They were delighted when the seeds began to grow!

Growing Beans in Baggies

A week later, we planted lima beans in baggies. We wet a few cotton balls and dropped them in the bags. We added a couple of lima beans and sealed the bags. Then we attached the bags to the window in our classroom with tape.

We reviewed and discussed what we had learned about plants and what seeds need to grow. I asked the children what they thought would happen to the beans in the  sandwich bags. About half of the children predicted nothing would happen without soil.

Boy, were they surprised when their seeds started to sprout inside the bags!

Growing Beans: Expand the Learning

If you are growing beans both in dirt and in a bag, compare the sprouts. Talk about the differences and similarities with the plants that are growing.

In the bag, check on the growth of the lima bean each day. Encourage your preschoolers to notice how the seed splits to allow the roots and sprouts to grow. Compare what you see with pictures in books about plants.

Read books related to seeds and growing. Two of my favorites are Jasper’s Beanstalk by Nick Butterworth and The Enormous Watermelon by Alison Hawes.

This activity was a great exploration to apply what we had learned, think about what we knew, and expand our knowledge. Hands-on science is the best way for children to learn more about the natural world.

Preschool Science Curriculum

Having an amazing science area in your preschool classroom is wonderful, but without a rock solid science curriculum to follow, you’ll be throwing spaghetti at the wall and just hoping some of it sticks. For true foundational learning to occur in your preschool classroom, you need a standards-based curriculum that is both engaging and developmentally appropriate for young children.

A high-quality science curricula serves as a framework upon which the content is built and delivered to the students. For example, this is how students will begin to understand that cyclical changes take place in nature and animals. Without a research-based science curriculum, they may just think these changes are magical or occur without reason or purpose.

With 18 comprehensive units, the Trailblazer Science Curriculum for Preschool is standards aligned so you can rest easy knowing your little learners are getting exactly what they need to build a strong foundation for future scientific success.

BIO: Kristy Pulcher is currently a Pre-K Teacher in Plano, Texas. She has worked in the early childhood education field for 23 years. Kristy was a recipient of the Teacher of the Year award from CCAEYC. She is very passionate about working with young children and they delight her daily as they explore and learn about the world around them.

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