Jack and the Beanstalk Math

After reading Jack and the Beanstalk, we counted A LOT of beans. First, as a class, we counted how many beans fit in the giants hand (I just drew a large handprint and made copies of it).  After covering the hand with beans, we put the beans in piles of 10 and then counted by 10s. Then, at the project table, I traced each child's hand and then they glued  beans inside their hand and then counted how many beans they had used. Next year I will probably just use the beans to measure "how many beans tall"  the hand is.

Fairy Tales - Jack and the Beanstalk

This is the Bean Stalk that is in our classroom.  I made it by twisting long pieces of bulletin board paper. I added a giant cardboard boot and used a "snow cover" that I got after Christmas to make the cloud.  The kids made the giant leaves (using tracers).

This is one of my favorite ways to grow plants.  The kids put a paper towel in a baby food jar and then a bean and then added water (it is important that just the paper towel is wet and the bean does not sit in water or it will get moldy).  The little castle is attached to a stick (bought "bamboo" placemats at the dollar store so I got lots of sticks for $1).  They then drew a little picture of themselves that is taped to the jar.  As the bean grows, we wind it around the stick.  So cute!