Materials
Peanuts in shells
paint and paintbrushes
containers
graph paper
Instructions
1. Celebrate George Washington Carver's birthday, January 10th. Explain to the
children that George Washington Carver was an African American botanist,
scientist, artist, and singer. He was a great scientist who experimented with
peanuts and invented over 300 items from the peanut. He also studied
soybeans and sweet potatoes.
2. Encourage the children to paint peanuts (in their shells). When the peanuts
have dried, the children can sort them by size, color, and shape.
3. Count a bag of peanuts with the children.
4. Play a Peanut Number Game. Number five containers from 1 to 5 or higher.
Place them on a table along with a basket containing 15 or more peanuts.
Let the children take turns placing the appropriate number of peanuts in each
container
5. Help the children sort and graph peanuts, different nuts, and seeds.
Safety Note: Check for peanut allergies before doing this activity. Many
children who are allergic to peanuts cannot even touch peanuts or be
around them.
Related poem
George Washington Carver by Patricia Murchison
George Washington Carver
An outdoors man.
He grew plants in dirt and sand,
Soybeans, peanuts, sweet potatoes, too.
George grew these plants just for you.
He had his own garden,
Took care of his own plans,
George worked hard in his blue jean pants.
George could paint,
George could sing,
He made the peanut do many things.
