Happy Spring!

Happy Spring!-

This 3rd grade project was used to introduce the different parts of the flower to us. We began by learning about the different flowers that are blooming during this season and all the different colors of each. Then we broke down flowers and learned the different parts. For instance our new vocabulary included the stem, leaves, petal and the pistil which is the female reproductive part of the flower. To learn the parts we created our own flowers out of Popsicle sticks and construction paper. First, we glued Popsicle sticks to strips of green construction paper until it looked like a stem of a flower. Then we went and chose three colored hard stock sheets of papers that were used to make the petals of our flowers. After we traced the flower pattern our teacher gave us on our three sheets of paper we cut them out and began folding. We were instructed to fold the  flowers a certain way so that we could fold them to look like a tulip. We were able to write messages on the inside of the flowers if we wanted and then give them to our families. With the flower pattern now we made small cuts on the overlapped the sides to make the shape of the tulips. Lastly we made small holes in the bottom of the flowers so that we could stick our stems through the flower. The end of the Popsicle stick that sticks through the center of the flower was made to represent the piston. With a bow we tied the three flowers together.

This lesson was a great because it allows for the visual learners to get more out of the science lesson plan. Pipe cleaners could be a way to make it a little easier for younger children because folding the construction paper around the Popsicle sticks was a little tricky. Having the students do a little more with the piston would be a way to teach them about the pollination process. Perhaps painting the stick yellow and putting bits of yellow powder in the center of the flower would demonstrate how when bugs come in contact with the flower that is how the pollen is circulated.