Last spring our class planted sunflower seeds and watched the beginning of the life cycle of sunflowers. On Friday, we looked closely at the blooms of sunflowers. We examined the blooms under the document camera and discussed the interesting colour of the petals. We agreed tht the petals were not quite yellow but they were not quite orange either. We then discussed colours and discovered what happened when we mix yellow and a little red together. There were squeals of delight as students discovered they could make orange. They looked directly at the sunflowers in vases and tried to create the petal colours while finger painting. Next week we will use the finger painting sheets as petals, create dot middles and assemble our sunflowers.
A vase of sunflowers was set up on another table and students were invited to draw what they saw. A few students selected this drawing task in addition to finger painting. This week vases of sunflowers will be set up at the art center and the painting easel area to encourage more observational style creations. The students will also be examining the sunflower more closely with magnifying glasses at the science center.
At home you can support by pointing out any sunflower plants you see growing in your neighbourhood or throughout our town. You might also want to stop and talk about the flowers you see in Zehrs or other stores. Compare the plants, ask your child what do they notice?