Little Green Thumbs: Planting and Growing Together

Earlier this month, the learners in Classroom 4 each received two green bean seeds of their own to observe and eventually plant. As part of their exploration of different life cycles, this activity offered the children a hands-on opportunity to witness growth firsthand. While they have already been enthusiastically learning about various kinds of flowers through their flower arranging work, this time they were thrilled to begin growing their very own plants right in the classroom.  

In addition to planting their seeds, Classroom 4 created planting journals to help document the growth of their green beans. These journals are a tool for reflection and observation. On the day they received their seeds, they carefully observed the color, size, and shape, and made thoughtful predictions about what the seeds might need to grow. After their observations, they created their first entries: observational drawings. These drawings require close attention to detail and encourage children to think critically about what they see and how to represent it visually.  

Once their drawings were complete, they each placed the seeds in a plastic bag with a paper towel and gave them a generous spray of water. With great excitement, they placed the seeds close to the classroom windows, ready to begin watching the transformation unfold!

After just a few days, something incredible began to happen: the seeds started to sprout! Tiny roots emerged first, followed by the small, curved stems pushing their way out of the seed coats. The children were fascinated by these changes and eagerly checked the plastic bags each day to see what new growth had occurred. They introduced the term germination and learned that it’s the process by which a seed begins to grow into a plant. Through books, discussions, and continued observations, the children discovered that seeds need water, sunlight, and plenty of time to germinate. As the children updated their planting journals with new drawings and quotes, they practiced using real scientific vocabulary and demonstrated a growing understanding of the life cycle of a plant. The excitement in the classroom was palpable—every new root or leaf brought a new round of curiosity and questions!  

When each seed showed signs of germination, they knew it was time to plant their seeds into soil. With great care and joy, the children gently transferred their sprouted seeds from the plastic bags into small pots filled with fresh soil. We talked about how soil provides nutrients and support for the growing plant, and how this next stage in the life cycle would help the green bean plants continue to develop strong roots, stems, and leaves. As we planted, we made sure to handle the delicate sprouts gently, and everyone had the chance to water their pots and choose a sunny spot in the classroom for their seedlings. This hands-on experience helped reinforce the idea that plants are living things with specific needs, and the children took pride in becoming the official caretakers of their very own green bean plants.

Just recently, we walked into the classroom to discover something amazing—our tiny seeds had transformed into tall, growing plants with long stems and green leaves reaching toward the sunlight! The children were thrilled to see how much their plants had grown, and it was a proud moment to recognize how their careful observation and nurturing had paid off. We will continue to update our planting journals, documenting each new leaf and change we observe, and tracking the plants' growth day by day. Eventually, each child will have the opportunity to take their green bean plant home, continuing their journey as young botanists and caregivers beyond the classroom.  The process of guiding a seed to become a plant is an important experience for young learners because it helps them understand the natural world and the life cycle of living things in a hands-on, meaningful way. It teaches responsibility, patience, and the importance of caring for something over time.  As children observe how seeds grow into plants, they develop scientific thinking, curiosity, and a sense of wonder—laying the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of nature and the environment.