Growing Tao Geh

A reader, and now new friend, had emailed me to say it was nice to read about the "wonderful and simple things" we are doing in our homeschool. Well, I guess this week's project is one of those: growing bean sprouts (a.k.a. tao geh.)

No. 1 (almost 8 years) had been learning about farms and growing fruits, vegetables, harvesting, getting to the market in his Social Studies PACE. No. 2 (almost 6 yrs) has been learning about flowers and plants in relation to the third day of creation for her Science PACE. So, I thought it'd be interesting to go out to buy some green beans to show the children how seeds grow.

I take it for granted but I am reminded to give thanks to God for the joy and privilege to be the one to show off God's creation to my own dear children. I'm so glad that it is from my teaching that they learn and are amazed at how wonderful life is. All this week, no. 1's favourite phrase was, "That's so interesting!"

So I drew a daily installment of the bean's growth on our white board so that the kids could trace it's growth. I also piqued their interest by giving them a sneak review of what we were to expect for the next stage of growth. I also talked about how the bean's growth at this point was fueled by the bean itself, that's why it doesn't need soil or sunlight yet. (All the bio people out there don't shoot me for technicalities hor...)

I drew some spiritual lessons about the roots bringing water and nutrients to the rest of the plant with the blessed man in Psalms 1 who is likened to a tree that is planted by the rivers of water. We need to meditate on God's word constantly to grow as a child of God!

Psalms 1:2-3  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Today was day 4 and we took out the original tiny little green bean and compared it to the four day old one and we talked about the differences between the two. No. 2 and no. 3 (almost 4 yrs) observed that the roots and the leaves had grown and was alot bigger in size than the original bean.

No. 4 (almost 2) just enjoyed dissecting the sprouts. :O)

And now, I've got a new form of art! Somewhat similar to sand art... it's called, BEAN ART.

Comments

[Carol]

I like the terrier and the elephant :)
Are you going to cook the "tooth vegetable" to eat after they're all grown? :D
Over here in HK, it's common to find the giant bean sprouts... no, not Jack & the beanstalk... the sprouts grown from soy beans ;)

[HsKubes]

Oh, what fun! I love the application, too.
And what a great idea... bean art!
Our eldest made a cardinal out of chocolate chips the other day! I love the creativity. ;o)

~ Christina

[Suwei]

Dear Carol, Tao Geh from soy beans! that'll be quite a crunchy mouthful, wouldn't it?

No, we can't eat our harvest because no. 1 tried to bury them in the soil at the end of day one when I didn't notice. I made him carefully dig it up so we could continue with our observation. So it's too yuckky to eat. :OP

And that's the other tao geh story.

[Suwei]

Dear Christina, Thank you for dropping a note! And remember! BEAN ART. You saw it here first. ;O)

Blessings to you.

[ines]

great idea indeed!

[Suwei]

thanks ines and thanks for dropping a note! A homeschooler in indonesia! :O)