Forcing Bulbs Indoors

My daughter and I picked up an amaryllis bulb from the local grocery store last week. We planted it yesterday and she has been eagerly checking the bulb every few hours to see if it has grown yet. I love that she is enthusiastic about the experience and anticipating what changes will happen to the bulb as it grows. Before she planted it, we examined it in depth and discussed how it was similar and different to the tulip bulbs she helped me plant back in the spring.

Each January I also encourage the children in my class to explore forcing bulbs indoors as we plant various ones and watch them grow. We keep them in our science area along with chart paper, measuring tapes, magnifying glasses, and markers and the children record the changes in appearance they notice as time passes. I encourage children to observe the bulb carefully, but do not suggest what they should record on the chart paper. In the past children have recorded the length of growth using numerals and drawn pictures to represent the changes as they observe them. The bulb has also become a discussion point in our classroom where children gather and engage in lively conversations with one another.