Montessori Botany: The Fruit

parts of a pear

During group time explain to the children that you are going to examine the fruit. Place a pear onto the cutting board, and talk about the shape, color, texture, plant v. animal, where it grows. Carefully cut the pear in half. Otherwise have a pre-cut pear on hand. Be sure to sprinkle the exposed part of the pear with lemon juice to preserve the color so it doesn't start to turn brown. Return the knife and lemon juice to a safe place. Have the children take turns describing what they see. Assist the children in naming the parts of the fruit. Use the 3 period lesson. Place the fruit on the nature table for the children to observe. Make 3 part cards and books available to children.
parts of a pear 3 part cards:

parts of a pear book:



Nomenclature:

pericarp- the walls of a ripened fruit

exocarp- the outer layer of a pericarp

mesocarp- the flesh part of the fruit

endocarp- the inner layer of a ripened fruit
stalk- the part of the fruit attached to the stem
seed- the part of the fruit used to reproduce the species
calyx- the set of fruit sepals of the pear blossom that reamains on the fruit

History:
Pears are native to coastal and mildly temperate regions of the Old World, from western Europe and northern Africa and east across Asia... read more here