Camilla Cream and Lima Beans

Purpose: The focus of this lesson will be to address both diversity and
science in one activity. After introducing lima beans with a read-aloud of A

Bad Case of the Stripes the students will plant one lima bean in a cup with
soil, and one in a baggie with a wet paper towel and make a verbal prediction
as to which one will grow.
SOLs:
Science K.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific
reasoning, logic, and the nature of science by planning and conducting
investigations in which
a) basic characteristics or properties of objects are identified by direct
observation;
b) observations are made from multiple positions to achieve different
perspectives;
c) a set of objects is sequenced according to size;
d) a set of objects is separated into two groups based on a single physical
characteristic;
e) nonstandard units are used to measure the length, mass, and volume of
common objects;

f) observations and predictions are made for an unseen member in a

sequence of objects;
g) a question is developed and predictions are made from one or more
observations;
h) observations are recorded;
i) picture graphs are constructed;
j) unusual or unexpected results in an activity are recognized; and
k) objects are described both pictorially and verbally

Science K.7 The student will investigate and understand basic needs and life
processes of plants and animals. Key concepts include
a) animals need adequate food, water, shelter, air, and space to survive;
b) plants need nutrients, water, air, light, and a place to grow to survive;
c) plants and animals change as they grow, have varied life cycles, and
eventually die; and
d) offspring of plants and animals are similar but not identical to their
parents or to one another.
Objectives

The student will be able to identify that every one of us are

different, we arent all the same.

With the aid of a class discussion he student will be able to identify

the different elements that plants need in order to grow (water, light,
nutrients), in order to be able to make an accurate verbal prediction
about whether a lima bean will actually grow inside of a wet paper
towel and baggie.

Procedure
Introduction:

Have students come to the carpet

Ask students if lima beans are one of their favorite foods

Read A Bad Case of The Stripes (Auditory)

Discuss differences among people

Development:

Pull a lima bean from pocket and show it to the students (Visual)

Ask what they think the bean needs in order to be able to sprout
o Does it need water? Sunlight? Soil?

We are going to try something to see what seeds need in order to

sprout

 When I tell you to you will go back to your seat and listen to my stepby-step

directions very carefully

Dismiss students back to seats and give them each a lima bean and a
baggie with a wet paper towel inside
Take the paper towel out of the bag and wrap the lima bean in it
carefully, then place it back in the bag (Kinesthetic)
Close up your baggie if you can, if not raise your hand and I will help
you
Summary:

Dismiss students by table to place their lima beans in their cubbies by

table and instruct them to sit quietly on their carpet spot

Do you know what a prediction is?

o Thats a big word! Raise your hand if you think you know what it
means
o Explain: a prediction is a guess about what you might think will
happen in the future

We are going to predict if the lima bean will grow!

Discuss the activity

o Raise your hand if you would like to predict if the lima bean will
grow!
o Why do you think this?
o Do you know what a prediction is?
o What is the first step in the lima bean life cycle?
o What is the second step? (etc.)

Materials

The book A Bad Case of the Stripes

Plastic bags

Paper towels

Lima beans

Evaluation Part A
The students will be evaluated during the class discussion to be performed
in the summary. I will question them predictions and go over the life cycle
again.
Evaluation Part B

What were the strengths of the lesson?

What were the weaknesses?

How would you change the lesson if you could teach it again?