You can do these this week!
Here are a few ideas to make Earth Day exciting for your students.
No-Mold Bean in a Bag:
Have you tried the Bean in a Bag project only to grow more mold than bean vines? Well, here is the SECRET TIP: USE STAPLES! That's it!
Directions:
1. With CLEAN hands, slip a folded paper towel into a sandwich size zipper bag.
2. Add a row of staples about 1/3 up from the bottom. (see photo)
3. Write each student's name at the top of the bag with a sharpie.
4. Soak your dry lima beans overnight.
5. Drain the beans and have each student either WASH THEIR HANDS WELL or use TONGS to drop 3-5 beans into the bag in front of the paper towel.
(This is also a great time to have students explore and examine an additional bean, removing the coat, discovering the sprout inside, and getting to feel the hard, smooth bean.
6. Spray the inside of the bag with clean water to wet the entire paper towel, but not enough to puddle water at the bottom. Seal the zipper.
7. Tape the bag to a FLOWERPOT TEMPLATE (write student's name on the top rim first) and tape them to the window where students can check on their beans.
Predict how the bean will grow. Will the roots grown down and the vine grow up? How will the staples help?
BONUS: Read the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. Tape an image of a castle to one end of a straw and tape the straw to the back of the bag allowing the castle to stand high above the bag. When the vine reaches the top of the bag, open it a bit to allow the vine to wind its way us the straw to the castle. You might have to spray additional water in the bag each day.
See the FLOWER POT template by clicking HERE.
See the WRITING template (for Earth Day & 19 additional writing prompts by clicking HERE.
And while you are looking at my TpT Store, grad over 20 FREEBIES!
Harry Herman:
You can use egg shells, bathroom tissue rolls, flat-bottom ice cream cone or small paper or clear plastic cups for this one. (see photos)
Directions:
1. Write students' names of the back or bottom of the container.
2. Have students glue google eyes to their container and allow them to dry.
2. Have students fill their container with potting soil.
3. Have students add a few grass or radish seeds and cover with a tiny bit of soil.
4. Use a spray bottle to water in the seeds. (Be careful not to over water, especially the ice cream cones!)
5. Place containers in a sunny location.
Radish seeds will take only 3 days, grass seeds will take a bit longer.
Once the grass seeds have grown out, students can "style" the grass with small clips or rubber bands. Students can also plant their egg shell, TP roll, or paper cup directly in the ground or remove the plant with the soil around it from the plastic cup to plant outside.
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