Science Fenns K-5Grades K to 5
A radish plant with a red root and a lima bean vine with pods in a garden bed, with seeds drawn in a row below.

Science / All lessons / Animal Bodies and Life Cycles

Plant Life Cycles

Radishes and lima beans, seed to seed.

Lesson 41 of 41

Try this first

Before we start

Today’s story

Plant Life Cycles

Plant a lima bean in the garden. In a few days, a green shoot appears. Then leaves. Then flowers. Then pods with new beans inside.

This is a life cycle. A plant starts as a seed. It sprouts, grows, makes flowers, and makes seeds again. A radish does this too, but it has a thick red root we eat. A radish flowers and makes seeds in a pod.

Both plants follow the same big pattern. Some stages look different. Here are the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Bean in a Bag

    20 minutes plus 10 days · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • A lima bean seed
    • A zip bag
    • A paper towel
    • Water
    • Tape
    • A sunny window

    Do this

    1. Wet the paper towel.
    2. Place the bean in the bag with the towel.
    3. Tape the bag to a sunny window.
    4. Check it each day.
    5. Draw what you see.
    6. Measure the root and shoot with a ruler.
    Write or draw: A drawing and measurement each day.

    Watch for: Notice which part comes out first. Notice how fast it grows.

    Safety: Do not eat the bean. Wash hands when done.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1The cycle goes in a circle.

    Seeds make plants that make seeds.

    Rule 2Compare with care.

    Look at roots, stems and pods.

    Rule 3Plants need water and light.

    Take care of them.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    seed
    A small package that can grow into a new plant.
    sprout
    A young plant that is just starting to grow.
    life cycle
    The stages in a living thing's life.
    pod
    A case that holds seeds.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know the bean is growing? What do you measure?
    • What plants are growing near your home right now?
    Did you know

    A lima bean seed has a tiny baby plant folded inside.

    Someone who does this

    A farmer plants seeds and watches them grow from seed to harvest.

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