Designing Bean Seed Packets
Provided by: Center for Ecoliteracy|Published on: October 29, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 3, 4, 5
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts
Authors: Center for Ecoliteracy
Location: Earth, North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > California
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This hands-on (and delicious) lesson centers around California-grown beans and will teach students about where food comes from, how to save seeds, the history of bean cultivation, and nutritional benefits of beans.
- Students will make a seed saving packet using the included PDF diagram, perform a taste test of different bean varieties, and learn how to preserve and plant seeds.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This lesson plan includes learning opportunities, vocabulary lists, reproducible worksheets, templates for bean seed packets, and step-by-step teacher directions.
- Students will enjoy the opportunities for creativity and the hands-on nature of the lesson.
Additional Prerequisites
- This lesson plan requires quite a few materials to complete, including printed worksheets, dry beans, clear cups or containers, and potentially cooking materials for a bean taste test.
- You can substitute beans from your local area instead of California-grown beans.
Differentiation
- Cross-curricular connections can be made in health classes studying nutrition or social studies classes considering the types of produce grown in different locations.
- This lesson would work well in the spring when students can grow their beans in an outdoor garden, if available.
- As an extension, have students create seed packets for other types of produce that grows in their area.
This resource is an in-depth lesson on beans: their history, health benefits, and cultivation. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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