Share with preschool students information about George Washington Carver and how he was important to our culture. George Washington Carver did experiments with peanuts and invented many important products using sweet potatoes, such as types of glue. George Washington Carver is also thought to have invented peanut butter. Look at pictures of George Washington Carver and read information to preschool students about him and discuss how his life was different and similar to students' lives today.
Explain to preschool students you will be doing an experiment that George Washington Carver conducted and discuss the steps of the experiment (see Resources). Talk with preschool students about the scientific method. Draw pictures about how preschool students think peanut butter is made and have them explain steps and write their descriptions on their artwork.
Gather materials to make peanut butter with preschool students. You will need 6 to 8 cups of unsalted peanuts, oil, salt and sugar, along with a food processor. Discuss with preschool students how peanuts grow (see Resources). Peanuts grow underground like potatoes and are considered a fruit. They need to be roasted or boiled to taste the way we are used to eating them. Discuss how George Washington Carver came up with the idea to experiment and create peanut butter. Allow preschool students to taste peanuts before making peanut butter. Put about 4 cups of peanuts in food processor to start along with 1/4 cup of oil. Blend slowly. When pureed, allow preschool students to taste and figure out what is missing. Add in sugar and salt to taste and continue blending the rest of peanuts into peanut butter. Send small amounts of peanut butter home with preschool students in small baby food containers.