Botany: Growing A Bean Plant

Growing A Bean Plant (age 3-6)


Since starting our garden outside, there has been interest in seeds, plants, flowers and everything else botany related. To introduce the parts of a plant, we planted green bean seeds last week in this glass jar. By pushing the seed down the side of the jar and into the soil, we are now able to see the parts of the plants. We have the jar on our nature table and will transfer the plants outside this week. It has been fun for my daughter to see the plant grow so quickly.



Along with the plants, I found some clip art here (also on the side of the blog now) to make this "Parts of a Plant" activity. This same type of activity can be purchased from Montessori Services. We have named the parts of the plant using the drawing and using the plant itself.



One at a time, each sheet is placed over the control paper in the correct area. (A visual control of error.)

When the last sheet is added, the plant is in actual color.


While I was laminating, I also printed off this activity from this blog. As always, before presenting the more abstract version (paper) I presented small, smaller, and smallest with real objects. Having four was more of a challenge.

*We are headed out for vacation, so I won't be posting for a bit. =-)

Color Mixing With Colored Water (age 3-6 yrs)

A Montessori child is introduced to colors using the color tablets, and starting with the primary colors. My daughter started with the primary colors (naming and matching) when she turned three and through this winter worked on secondary colors, naming and matching. She is now working on grading shades of colors, darkest to lightest.



As seen in a previous post, I introduced the idea of mixing primary colors to make new colors, using the color bottles. This week I introduced mixing red, yellow and blue colored water to make secondary colors. The materials needed are shown on the tray. A child using this should be experienced and successful using a dropper and know all primary and secondary colors.

I began by pointing to the colored water bottle on the left and asked "What do we call this color?" My daughter answered and continued to name the primary colors in the bottles. I touched the first card and the first dot. Then, using the dropper, took a dropper full of the water and added it to the first bowl. Next, I dabbed the dropper point on the sponge to get any remaining colored water off the dropper. Then, I touched the second dot on the card and took a dropper full of that color adding it to the same bowl. Again, I dabbed the dropper on the sponge and put the dropper on the tray. I gently swirled the bowl to mix the two colors. The new color appeared and my daughter was so excited. I continued with the next card and she finished the last one. After finishing, I showed how to rinse and wipe the bowls and check for drips on the tray.

Exploring With Magnets

Exploring With Magnets (age 3-6)

We have already used magnets in previous lessons to categorize objects as Magnetic and Nonmagnetic and used magnets to test objects from our room environment. Now, we are using this activity as a fun way to extend our use of magnets.


There are five magnetic objects. One at a time they are hidden in the barley (I used barley because I didn't have sand available).


After the objects are hidden, the magnet (clipped to a clothespin for easier grasping) is moved around until an object is found.

Once the object is found, it is placed on a sticker (to help the child know how many more are left to find). I introduced this as an individual activity but it is fun to play with someone else and take turns hiding the objects.

Sand Art

My daughter really enjoyed this and it wasn't very messy (like I thought it might be). Each dish has colored sand in it. The paper is brushed with glue using the paint brush.

The sand is sprinkled on the paper using fingers. When finished the paint brush is washed and the extra sand is brushed into the trash using the sponge.

Toddler Activity: Using A Strainer and Water

Catching Rubber Ducks With A Strainer

I put this activity together for my youngest daughter. The materials needed are shown on the tray, in addition, we use an apron and two towels (one for under the tray and one for under her chair). The strainer/sieve comes from Montessori Services (sidebar of blog) and I must say if you happen to be looking for a strainer, I highly recommend it, it works well for a variety of activities. An older child could use smaller objects and if you don't have a strainer, you could always use a fish net, or slotted spoon.

After setting up the towels and putting on an apron, I showed my daughter how to carefully and one at a time, place the ducks into the water. (I do keep towels and the apron in an accessible spot for her, so that she can get them by herself when needed.)

I demonstrated scooping up one duck and putting the duck into the bucket with the strainer. Then, I offered my daughter a turn. She really enjoyed it and the activity was just at her skill level.

This picture shows how I typically set up for a water activity. When she is done, we clean-up together by dumping out water, drying materials, returning the activity to her shelf and hanging up the apron.