Growing a good mind: an experiment

From late November to early December, Master held a series of special “experiment” with Bodhi Chinese School children about “growing a good mind.” The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate the power of words. Using green beans as the experiment subjects, we test saying good words and bad words to them while growing them.

As always, to make any activity meaningful and successful, before Master’s visit to the classrooms, the school sent a letter home. In the letter, the school stressed how parents’ continued involvement is essential in any learning activity. As such, Master asked that parents come to both classes and be active in helping their children throughout this experiment. Together with the letter is an instruction sheet detailing the experiment procedures, which will be carried out at home with parental assistance.

Grade Level: 3rd grade (can be adjusted to fit all levels)

Key concept: Our mind can create positive energy
Title: Growing a Good Mind: An Experiment

Objectives: Students are able to

1. relate the experiment results to daily interactions with others
2. practice setting good intentions and using good words

Description: A two-class series about how important it is to set positive intentions and interact with others using positive words. Students, with the help from parents, grow green beans for two weeks at home. Students and their parents say good words to one cup of beans and bad words to another cup of beans for two weeks. At the end of the 2-week period, students bring back their experiments, discuss in class the findings and what it means to them.




Class 1 Anticipatory set:

1. Story: Nails, Nails on the Wall: a story about how anger (bad words) leaves permanent scars and are hurtful to others and self.
2. Interactive Questions: use questions from story to bring students to identify the power of words and how easy we can practice saying good words every day.

Class 1 Procedure (details omitted here)
At the end of the story and class time, ask students to predict what will happen to the beans.

Class 2 closure activity
After students examine each other’s experiments, compare, contrast, and discuss the reasons, play the game “thinking positively”

For example: On my way to school today, I realized that I lost the 5 dollars I put in my pocket… Now think positively …what would you say? 1) Thank goodness I did not lost 10 dollars or 2) Whoever finds it must be very happy

Another example: I studied very hard but still did not do well on the Chinese quiz. Now think positively … what would you say? 1) Thank goodness it is not the final examine or 2) I will have so much room for improvement

Each Chinese class’s homeroom teacher gives out Chinese-related homework based on this experiment.

Overall, students were engaged and enthusiastic about this experiment. One student even brought his beans to his American school every day, just to show off his experiment! Even though the end results did vary (while mostly favored the good-word group), students were able to relate the power of intentions and words into daily interactions.

The school has asked the Master to give another lesson next semester.