Planting & Growth Observation Journal
Supports agricultural awareness, STEM integration, literacy, and social-emotional development at the IPC Level 3 stage.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Farm
- Learning area: Understanding the World
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Developmentally appropriate objectives aligned to IPC Level 3 for Planting & Growth Observation Journal.
Materials
- Level-appropriate farm-themed materials and manipulatives.
Instructions
Materials
- Clear plastic cups or small pots with drainage holes.
- Fast-growing seeds such as beans or radishes.
- Potting soil and small plastic scoops.
- Pre-stapled observation journals with blank pages for drawing.
- Magnifying glasses.
- Permanent markers for labelling.
Learning Objectives
- Children will sequence the stages of plant growth from seed to sprout.
- Children will use observational tools to identify physical changes in their plants.
- Children will record data through labelled drawings or descriptive sentences.
- Children will demonstrate responsibility by maintaining a consistent watering schedule.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the children in a circle and show them a dry bean seed and a sprouted seedling to spark a discussion about how plants change over time.
2. Demonstrate how to fill the cup with soil and place the seed at the correct depth using a finger to create a small hole.
3. Guide children to label their cups with their names and the date using a permanent marker.
4. Assist children in placing their cups in a sunny location and provide a small watering can for them to moisten the soil.
5. Distribute the observation journals and instruct the children to draw their seed as it looks today on the first page.
6. Establish a routine where children check their plants every two days to look for changes in the soil or the appearance of a sprout.
7. Encourage children to use magnifying glasses to look closely at the texture of the soil and the stem of the plant.
8. Prompt children to draw what they see in their journals during each observation session, adding labels for parts like roots, stems, or leaves.
Educator Tip
To support varying writing abilities, provide word banks on the whiteboard that include terms like seed, sprout, leaf, and root. If a child struggles to draw, encourage them to trace the outline of their plant or use a ruler to measure the height of the sprout for a quantitative data point.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can correctly sequence their drawings to show the progression of growth.
- Check that the child uses the magnifying glass to identify specific plant features during observations.
- Review the journals to ensure the child is labelling their drawings with emerging phonetic spelling or provided vocabulary.
Educator tip
Guided questioning to encourage language, reasoning, and participation. Differentiate for ability levels; incorporate sensory supports; ensure safety.
Assessment
Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Observation checklist or rubric aligned to developmental stage.