Free Sunflower Lesson!

Just before summer fades, we begin to see sunflowers in full bloom all around us. You and your little adventurer may see sunflowers in your yard, at the store or perhaps in a field nearby. The seeds of these happy yellow faces boast treasures for birds, squirrels, and us! Join me the rest of the week as I kick off a free nature-based education lesson all about sunflowers!

Gather these supplies and prepare for a learning adventure. A bouquet of sunflowers Edible sunflower seeds A magnifying glass

The first step is to display a bouquet of sunflowers in your learning space or on your dining table, as you will use them throughout the week. Read This is the Sunflower and/or The Sunflower Parable. These stories not only share the lifecycle of a sunflower from seed to harvest, but will also teach that the seeds can be both planted and eaten. Here are some additional books about sunflowers that can be added to your week: Katie and the Sunflowers by James Mayhew https://amzn.to/3JRdTjw

A Sunflower's Life Cycle (Explore Life Cycles) by Mary Dunn https://amzn.to/4mARJ3D

The Sunflower Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs https://amzn.to/3Hw5cuv

Sunflower House by Eve Bunting https://amzn.to/3JyIYbP

Invitation to Discover Gather a sunflower, a small handful of sunflower seeds, a magnifying glass and place them together in your learning space. Show the magnifying glass on top of the sunflower, then slowly pull it up while your child looks at the flower through the glass. Ask your child if the sunflower look bigger or smaller. Allow time to touch and smell all of the parts of the flower and the seeds. They may want to pull the flower apart and squish. Let them! This is their scientific process. Invite your child to crack the shell of the edible sunflower seed open and see the seed inside. Let them know that not all seeds are safe for us to eat, but these are. Invite them to taste one. Discovery Questions What colors do you see in the flower? Is the center of the flower soft or prickly? Who do you think eats sunflower seeds? What do they taste like? Where do the seeds come from?

Come back tomorrow for another sunflower activity to support this lesson and if you haven't already, subscribe to my email list here!