1. Show the students a bag of peanuts.  

 2. Ask students to do an A-Z list on all they know about peanuts. 

     Tell students to keep this list safe because they will use it again at the 

     end of the unit.

 3. Students will share with the class while the teacher writes their answers

     on chart paper.

 4. Tell the students that they will do an investigation on peanuts.

 5. Divide the class into small groups.    

 6. Give each group magnifying glasses, rulers, and a 

     balance.    

 7. Give each student an investigation worksheet and a peanut.

 8. The student will carefully observe their peanut.

 9. Then they will write down all their observations on

     the activity worksheet.

10. They will then measure their peanut and weigh it.

11. When students complete the worksheet they will all 

     place their peanuts in a bowl.

12. When you have collected all the peanuts, then each student

     will try to identify their peanut from the bunch.

13. After students have all identified their peanuts, pair them up and have them compare and contrast their peanuts using a venn diagram.

14.  Each student will then use the venn diagram to write a comparison paragraph about their peanuts and explain what helped them identify their peanut.

15. Students can eat their peanut and you can give them more.

NOTE: Save the shells for a future activity.

Assessment

1. Completed investigation worksheet.

2. Comparison paragraph on peanuts.

3. Teacher observation of group work.

4. Peanut History Timeline

Homework

1.  The student will find where most peanuts grow in the United States.

2. Print a U.S. map and color the states where peanuts grow.

Extension

1. Students will pair up to research the history of peanuts. http://gapeanuts.com/kids/history.htm

2. They will create a timeline or flowchart to show the history of peanuts. Promote creativity, e.g. use peanut figures, etc.