Academy Curricular Exchange
Columbia Education Center
Science

TITLE:  Jack and the Beanstalk

AUTHOR:  Jodie Coulson, Madill Elem., OK

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  3, language arts and science

OVERVIEW:  This is a good project to tie language arts and
science together.  I present it after a study of different
types of fiction and a study of green plants.

PURPOSE:   This lesson provides hands-on experiences.  The
children plant seeds and watch them grow.  They are able to
identify the parts of a living plant rather than a picture.
They draw, write, and perform "Jack and the Beanstalk" in
addition to reading it.

OBJECTIVES:  In observing their plants, students will
identify the seed, seed coat, stem, leaves, blooms, and
beans.
  Students will recognize that fairy tales are a particular
kind of fiction and pick out the elements of the story that
make it a fairy tale.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  story or book of "Jack and the
Beanstalk", construction paper, rulers, butcher paper,
markers/crayons, glue, cups, potting soil, bean seeds

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
  Language arts:  After reading and discussing "Jack and the
Beanstalk", each group will pick out and list the fairy tale
elements.  (EX: giant, magic, all good characters, all bad
characters, problems to be solved)  After successfully
completing this, each group will write a script for a puppet
play of the story.  They will also make stick puppets and
design backdrops.

  Science:  Each child will plant pinto beans.  They will
keep daily records of the plants' progress.  (Ex: date
planted, date sprouted, daily height of plant, etc.)

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Students present plays to the rest
of the class.  Student submit their journals of daily
observations.  An awards presentation can also be held with
prizes given for tallest plant, most productive plant, etc.

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