planting a bean

 We have been learning about plants and the children have been able to grow wheat grass, sprout a seed and are now planting a bean. 

 The work is set up on a tray.  The children chose their name marker and put it in a small cup.  Fill the cup with dirt using a tiny scoop.

They then pick out a bean and push it into the dirt. 

Lastly, they fill up the tiny pitcher with water and pour it on the dirt.

Dr. Montessori felt that gardening was very important and rewarding for children. 

They learn how to care for a living thing and also see a life cycle in action!

Harvesting Peas!

In mid-March we planted peas in our garden.  This is an area protected from the cold so they grew and grew!!  Today the children were able to pick, wash and eat them! 

They used the picking basket and went outside with a teacher.  The children were shown where the peas were on the plants. 

Once they had a few, they brought them inside, washed them and then were shown how to open the pods.

Most of the children ate them off the plate, others decided to walk around and offer them to their friends.

An activity such as this helps the children to understand how food grows.  They were able to experience the whole process from planting, watering, watching the plants grow to harvesting and eating!