It is a joy to study and understand the scientific world that surrounds us. When we look deeply at the intricate details, we begin to see how beautifully creative our world is. There is a masterpiece painting in each flower and every piece of fruit. This is a fruit science for kids lesson that identifies the various structures of the fruit, compares and contrasts different fruit seeds, includes dissecting work, matching work, and a lovely spiritual lesson at the end.
Materials Needed for Fruit Science for Kids:
- Tray and/or Cutting Board
- Fruit of your choice
- Dissecting Tools
- Fruit 3-Part Cards
- Fruit Inside and Outside Cards (optional)
- Fruit Nomenclature Cards (free printable - optional deeper study)
Fruit Science Set-up and Instructions:
I prepared a dissecting tray for my child to use that included instruments from a dissecting kit (this was part of our botany Brainy Kit.) The dissecting kit contained scissors, forceps, scalpel, needles, and a measuring stick. I carefully laid them out for him along with two pieces of fruit - a pear and a strawberry.
My son, Little Bee, is four years old and has been instructed on how to use a knife. This is very important as you would not want to give your child a scalpel without knife safety awareness and proper training on how to use a knife.
I instructed Little Bee to use the tools to help him find and extract the seeds from the pear and the strawberry. He carefully cut a circle around the center of the pear with the scalpel, to remove the core that contains the seeds. Then he used the forceps to find and remove the seeds from the pear. Next he used the forceps to remove the tiny seeds of the strawberry. As Little Bee dissected, we discussed the names of the parts of the fruit. This would be a wonderful time to also incorporate the fruit nomenclature cards (in the materials list above.)
For a deeper study, please visit ~
DIY Felt Apple Life Cycle with Printable
Matching Work - Seeds to Fruit
Little Bee dissected a pear, apple, strawberry, and orange and removed the seeds. Then I set up a matching work for him using fruit 3-part cards and the seeds that were dissected. Little Bee matched the seeds to the correct fruit. The pear and the apple seeds were similar, so Little Bee had to look carefully for the differences between these two types of seeds. Upon examination there is a difference in color, shape, and size.
Benefits of this Fruit Science for Kids Lesson
This fruit science for kids lesson is a foundational study on the life-cycle of a fruit. There is life in each tiny seed and if these seeds are planted, they will grow and finally produce fruit. This lesson also helps a young child continue to develop their fine motor control while using the dissecting instruments.
Scripture Memory Verse:
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
John 15:4,5
Spiritual Application:
How are seeds like us? We sow seeds by what we speak and by our actions (fruits of the Spirit). We can yield good fruit if we plant the seed (Word of God) in our hearts. Our fruit can be healing to others if it is from God. We do need good soil, sunshine, and a water source (Holy Spirit) to yield good fruit. When our tree grows strong and mighty, we become a place of refuge for others. God is a God of multiplication - seeds grow and yield more seeds. In heaven, we will have the tree of life that will sustain us forever. There will not be a need to fear or go hungry ever again. Amen!
This is part of the 12 Months of Montessori series 2018!
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