February 3, 2009 3:25 PM
Montessori at home: growing carrot tops
From Mommy, Teach Me!, a science projects for preschoolers. A simple project is enriched when mom or teacher understand the purpose and use language to guide the learning experience:
Growing carrot topsPurpose: To model the scientific approach - asking questions and using observation to discover answers. To differentiate between living and nonliving things.
Materials
Several carrots showing a little green at the top
Saucer
Pitcher of waterExperience
Cut carrots an inch from the top
Examine the tops with your child, using magnifying glass.
Ask, "Do you think these carrots can start growing again?"
As you discuss, put the carrot tops on the saucer.
"What do these carrot tops need to make them grow?"
If child needs more information, ask, "What do we need when we are thirsty?"
Have him pour water into the saucer, helping hand-over-hand if necessary.
Explain that he will need to watch the carrot tops to see what happens.
Emphasize that he will need to check water in saucer each day.
After growth begins, ask child, "Is the carrot top growing?" "What other things grow?" (the child, siblings, pets, flowers, trees, etc.)
Do rocks grow? Do baskets grow? Does a saucer grow?
Introduce the words living and nonliving.
Extensions
When leaves begin to sprout, use a digital camera to take a picture every other day and make a photo journal.
Grow a luxurious vine -sure to impress any child - by sticking several toothpicks 1/3 down a sweet potato and immersing bottom half in a jar of water.
More ideas:
Growing plants from garden scraps
The Amish Homesteaders - Kids science page (thanks for the image of the carrot tops above!).
In the gray of winter - for those of us who live where seasons prevail - now is a great time to do this kind of indoor project, where the green, living, growing reminder of God's creation will have maximum impact.
Posted in Homeschooling, Montessori, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
