Sunflowers

Teaching notes

1 Introduction

The large introductory image shows a close-up of a sunflower head. A ladybug can be spotted among the yellow ray florets. Project the image using a laptop or tablet and a projector or digital whiteboard. Ask the children to describe the colors, shapes and details.

Next, gather observations and questions: Who has already sown sunflower seeds? How tall can sunflowers grow? What happens to the seeds? The question “Why is the plant called a sunflower?” encourages children to try out initial explanations, which can be revisited later. Writing two or three sentences of their own about the picture provides a first writing prompt. Sentence starters such as “In the middle, I can see …” or “I wonder why …” make it easier to get started.

2. Reading as part of a weekly plan

The five reading passages combine a Greek myth with information about the sunflower’s origins, growth and uses, as well as an encounter with art. They can be spread across a school week.

Set aside a regular time for reading every day. Children can read on their own, in pairs, or with support. Explain unfamiliar words and illustrate terms such as “ornamental plant,” “tubular flower,” and “edible oil” using pictures or objects brought in. When reading the first text, distinguish between an imaginative interpretation of nature and a factual explanation: What happens in the legend? What can actually be observed? At the same time, value the tale as an imaginative story.

Short prompts help guide the reading: “Which parts support the plant?” or “What are sunflower seeds used for?” Have each child record one important fact each day.

The page featuring van Gogh provides an introduction to art lessons. Compare the colours, shapes and arrangement of the sunflowers with the opening photo.

3. Completing the gap-fill exercises

Choose the learning sentences that match the texts you have already read. Find the relevant passage, fill in the blank and check the completed sentence. Then carefully write down the agreed selection.

If needed, support children by offering a choice of words or pointing them to relevant sections. When they compare answers, ask them to explain where they found their answer. Not every blank has a clear answer in the texts. Work together to answer the question about harvest time, or provide additional information. For the sentences about the legend, make sure it is clear that the children are retelling a story.

4. A quiz game as an alternative

Instead of completing the gap-fill exercises, the children can create a quiz. They can write about three to five questions on cards or on a sheet of paper. They should write down the answers and the corresponding passages separately. Then two children swap questions. They may look up the answers. Next, they write selected questions on the front of a card and the answer on the back. They can then play in pairs or in a small group.

Offer both ways of working. Fill-in-the-blank sentences provide more language support; writing your own questions encourages independent reading and composition. Children who need extra support can also develop questions in pairs. Neither activity needs to be completed in full.

5. Writing exercises

Plan at least one manageable writing task each day, for example:

a) Nouns with articles and plural forms

Task: “Find eight nouns on the topic of sunflowers. Write them with both the definite and indefinite article. Add the plural form. Use three of the words in your own sentences.” Suitable words include “plant,” “stem,” “leaf,” “root,” “seed,” “flower,” “bird” and “field.” Example: “the seed – a seed – the seeds.” Offer a choice of words if needed. As an extension, children can explore compound nouns such as “sunflower seed” and work out which word determines the article.

b) Replace nouns with pronouns

Task: “In the second sentence, replace the repeated noun with a suitable pronoun.”

• “The sunflower stands by the garden fence. The sunflower has a sturdy stem.”
• “The bird lands on the flower head. The bird looks for seeds.”
• “The child is carrying a watering can. The child is watering the plants.”

Have Lass mark the nouns and pronouns, then add your own pair of sentences. Check together whether it’s still clear what is meant.

c) Changing verb tenses

Task: “Underline the verbs and rewrite the sentences in the simple past: We sow sunflower seeds. We water the soil. A small plant grows. Mia measures its height.” Compare regular and irregular forms, such as “sow – sowed” and “measures – measured.” Provide a word bank. For an extension, selected sentences can be rewritten in the present perfect.

d) Free writing, with a draft and final copy

Assignment: “Write a story on the theme of sunflowers. Imagine an adventure involving a giant sunflower, follow a bird looking for food, or come up with your own idea.” After brainstorming ideas, students first write a draft. During a short writing conference, they give one another feedback: Is the sequence clear? What has been described vividly? Is anything missing?

They then revise the content, sentence structure and selected spelling points. Finally, they write a neat copy with a suitable heading. Adjust the length and support to suit their writing ability. You could assign the tasks as follows: Monday—nouns, Tuesday—pronouns, Wednesday—tenses, Thursday—draft, Friday—revision and neat copy.

6. Additional activities and quick ideas

Use the research questions as optional activities. Help the children choose a manageable question. Instead of assuming that every sunflower constantly follows the sun, you could observe: “Does our plant change its direction over the course of the day?”

Practical additions:

• Sow sunflowers: Sow viable seeds in spring and care for the plants together over an extended period.
• Track growth: Record height and number of leaves regularly; add the date, a drawing and a sentence about your observations.
• Examining the flowers: Use magnifying glasses to look at the small individual flowers and show that the large flower head is made up of many flowers.
• Representing sizes: Use a tape measure and lengths of yarn to show heights, then compare them with your own height.
• Observe animals: Watch insects on flowering plants and birds at flowering plants.
• Perform the grease-spot test: Crush peeled kernels between sheets of paper and compare the persistent translucent spot with a water sample.
• Painting sunflowers: After looking at the picture, create your own artwork and write a short sentence about it.

Present selected observation sheets, drawings, question cards and finished copies in a small classroom exhibition.