Sunflowers

Video

Activities/Resources

1. Planting Sunflower Seeds:
   • Demonstration: Show students how to plant sunflower seeds. Explain each step: filling the pot with soil, planting the seed, covering it with soil, and watering it.
   • Hands-On Activity: Allow each student to plant their own sunflower seed in a pot. Label each pot with the student's name.
2. The Life Cycle of a Sunflower:
   • Visual Aid: Use a chart or a series of pictures to explain the life cycle of a sunflower: seed, germination, seedling, mature plant, flowering, and seed production.
   • Interactive Worksheet: Provide worksheets with the stages of sunflower growth. Have students color and cut out the stages, then paste them in the correct order on a separate sheet of paper.
3. Growth Observation:
   • Daily Routine: Create a routine for watering and observing the sunflowers. Have students measure their plants weekly and record their growth in a journal.
   • Observation Journal: Students can draw and write about the changes they observe in their sunflowers over time.
4. Research Project:
   • Group Research: Assign students to small groups to research different aspects of sunflowers, such as their history, varieties, uses (oil, seeds, ornamental), and significance in agriculture.
   • Presentation: Have each group create a poster or digital presentation to share their findings with the class.
5. Exploring Sunflower Uses:
   • Lesson on Uses: Teach students about the various uses of sunflowers, including sunflower oil, seeds for snacks, birdseed, and ornamental uses.
   • Hands-On Activity: Provide samples of sunflower products (e.g., sunflower seeds, sunflower oil) for students to observe and taste. Discuss how these products are made.
6. Math Integration:
   • Measurement and Data: Have students measure the height of their sunflowers and record the data. Create a class chart to track the growth of each plant.
   • Graphing Activity: Use the collected data to create bar graphs showing the growth of the sunflowers over time.
7. Art Integration:
   • Creative Drawing: Ask students to draw a sunflower at different stages of its life cycle.
   • Craft Project: Have students create sunflower crafts using construction paper, paint, or other materials.
8. Field Trip or Virtual Tour:
   • Field Trip: If possible, arrange a visit to a local sunflower farm or garden. Discuss the farming process and the importance of sunflowers in agriculture.
   • Virtual Tour: Alternatively, find a virtual tour or online resources about sunflower farming. 

Snack Ideas

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seed butter spread on apple slices, bread, toast or bananas

Sunflower Seed Chocolate Bites

Ingredients

• 200g sunflower seeds
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 60g Dark chocolate

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan/350F.

1. Add the sunflower seeds to a bowl along with a pinch of salt and the maple syrup. Mix until everything is evenly distributed.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Press some of the mixture in a small round cookie cutter, then remove slowly to shape into flat discs*.
3. Alternatively you can spoon some of the mixture straight onto the lined baking sheet to make clusters instead.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on how big/small you make them), or until golden brown.
5. Allow to cool completely to firm up (they may break apart if you attempt to move them whilst still warm).
6. Once cooled, dip the bottom of the sunflower seed bites into melted dark chocolate. Or you can drizzle some chocolate on top instead.