Sunflower Lifecycle

LESSON 3

Children engage in a hands-on activity with play dough, creating a simple sunflower life cycle.

  • Play dough in multiple colors to create sunflower life cycle

Optional

  • A book on the life cycle of a sunflower or flower (check the library or read aloud books on youtube)

  • Read aloud version we liked here.

Materials

  • Gather materials

Preparations

  • Facilitate the check-in on the sunflower seed experiment from the previous lesson.

  • Lead the play dough activity, guiding children to create a sunflower seed shape and assisting them in forming a simple sunflower life cycle.

Objectives for Teachers

  • Children check on the progress of their sunflower seed experiment from the previous lesson.

  • Children practice building fine motor strength during hands-on activity with play dough.

  • Children enhance their understanding of the sunflower life cycle through play dough activity.

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

Sunflower

Sunflower, sunflower turn toward the sky

Grow like a beanstalk, 10 feet high

Large golden petals, center full of seeds

Give hungry birds, the food they need

Activity Flow

  1. Begin by checking in on your sunflower seed experiment from lesson 2. It's recommended to wait a few days between lessons to observe any changes together. Ask your child if they notice any differences in the seed. Hopefully, your seed has started to sprout!

  2. Next, gather your play dough and sit together at a table. If you have a book about the lifecycle of the sunflower, this is the perfect time to get it. If not, you can watch and listen to a read-aloud version online.

  3. Read or listen to the first page of the book, and then pause. Take some play dough and shape it to represent a sunflower seed. Assist your child in doing the same.

  4. As you progress through the book, continue creating a simple sunflower life cycle together using the play dough. This hands-on activity will help your child visualize and understand the different stages of the sunflower's life.