When Evey brought a sunflower to school we decided to put it
in our science table so that everyone could look at it. We
used magnifying glasses, stethoscopes, and magnets to
examine the sunflower.
Examining observable characteristics of plants, animals, and
people in their local environment is an outcome in our science
curriculum. Indicators that we look for in reaching this
curriculum objective include:
 Select and safely use appropriate tools such as hand lens
(i.e. magnifying glass) and digital camera to observe
plants
 Create a visual representation of the characteristics of
a student-selected plant
 Seek out information and observable characteristics
about plants
 Pose questions about observable characteristics
As the children observed the sunflower a number of different
observations were made:
 While looking at the sunflower Evey commented “Sounds
like noises. It’s pokey too. He’s my best friend (the
sunflower)”
 Isaque observed”Bugs, they’re in the sunflower.” Brady
agreed and said “Oh yeah little bugs. There are bugs up
here now.”
 Zyma took the petals off the sunflower and Izaiah mixed
the petals up with the mortar and pestle.
 When Ella was watching Zyma and Izaiah examining the
petals on the sunflower she had a conversation with Mrs.
Noyes about flower petals. Mrs. Noyes got another
sunflower with the petals still on to compare. Then Ella
got a note pad and pencil and drew a picture of the
sunflower. Her picture was of the sunflower with the
petals on.
As the sunflower has dried the children have noticed that the
soft fuzzy center of the sunflower can be rubbed off and the
shells of the seeds underneath are becoming harder.
I think we will try eating some of the sunflower seeds.