Back at the beginning of April a group of Den children planted some sunflower seeds. Over the last few months we have been watering them and observing their progress.
Three of the seeds successfully germinated and sprouted in their individual pots. Once they had grown to a vigorous height for their pots, we planted the three healthy specimens out into a large container in the Farm House Garden. Unfortunately, one of the plants seemed to have attracted some interest from insects that decided to take a munch out of some of its leaves. We left this one alongside the 2 stronger plants in the hope that by further sacrificing this one to the hungry insects, the others will escape any damage.
This plan has so far been successful! Today a small group of us went up to the Farm House Garden with the intention of measuring the sunflowers to celebrate their development so far. Armed with a tape measure each, the children set to work. The hot, sunny weather that we have been experiencing recently seems to have benefited the sunflowers. Even the semi-eaten sunflower has perked up, and interestingly it now seems to have become 2 headed! It currently measures at 66 centimetres and is doing well considering its previous injuries! The other two plants currently stand at 89 and 90 centimetres. We will continue to measure their growth to observe their change, and to enjoy a great opportunity for mathematics. The children used real equipment (tape measures) and used numbers as they experienced measuring in a practical, real-life situation.
Whilst in the garden, the children expanded on the idea of measuring and found other objects to measure, including other plants, the windows of the shed, the wooden planters and each other! There was lots of mathematical language from each of the children as they searched for “bigger”, “taller” and “smaller” objects.
I wonder if any of our families are growing sunflowers at home?? It would be lovely to hear how tall they are and to find out who has grown the tallest sunflower this summer.
Lucy