Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, van Gogh’s depiction of sunflowers is used as a means of focusing on the parts of a flower, growing sunflowers in the classroom, and developing students' artistic impressions of sunflowers.
Length of Lesson:
Three 45-minute class periods
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- compare art reproductions of van Gogh, Klimt, and O’Keefe.
- plant sunflower seeds
- complete the seed packet questionnaire
- measure the rate of growth of a sunflower
- diagram the lifecycle of a sunflower.
- create a personal representation of sunflowers.
- compose an original poem about sunflowers
Instructional Plan:
Introduction
As part of the Scientific Impressions unit, this lesson begins by drawing on students’ prior knowledge of sunflowers. Distribute a small handful of sunflower seeds to each student. Ask them if they know what they are. Explain to the students that these tiny seeds grow into majestic, golden sunflowers. Point out the fact that they come from the "head" (brown center) of the sunflower when it withers each fall.
Read and discuss the book Lifecycles: From Seed to Sunflower by Gerald Legg. This book contains large illustrations that show the lifecycle of a sunflower from seed to flower. Review with students the parts of a flower: root, stem, leaves, petals, and seeds. Identify each of these parts on the sunflower plant. Using a sheet of 9" x 12" white drawing paper, students will create a storyboard to illustrate the sunflower’s life cycle. Fold the sheet of paper in fourths. In each section of the paper, label and illustrate each part of the lifecycle: seeds are planted, seeds sprout, plants receive water and sunshine, flowers bloom, flowers wither and drop seeds.
Ask students if they have ever seen real sunflowers: What words could they use to describe the sunflowers? Explain that there is a famous artist who painted a picture of a vase of sunflowers. At this point, share with students Van Gogh Museum's print of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. How do the flowers in the picture differ from sunflowers they might see growing in a garden?
Students should verbalize that the sunflowers in Van Gogh’s painting are in a vase and are therefore considerably "shorter" than a flower they might see in a garden. Explain that there are several other artists that have also represented sunflowers through art. Have students look at some of these paintings and compare them to Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. Examples of prints that might be used are:
Garden of Sunflowers by Gustav Klimt
http://www.artgazebo.com
Country Garden with Sunflowers by Gustav Klimt
http://www.artgazebo.com
Ask students to explain the difference between the flowers shown in Klimt’s works. (These flowers are not cut; they are shown as they would be in a garden. Klimt was also an expressionist who did not represent nature accurately—instead vibrant, wild colors would be used.) Why do the students think that sunflowers make such an interesting subject for artists?
Planting Sunflowers
Students will now plant the sunflower seeds that they have on their desks, using the instructions listed in the Planting Sunflowers activity handout:
- Distribute a paper cup to each student. Have the students write their names on their cups.
- Fill the cup almost to the top with damp soil.
- Poke a hole about 1" deep for each seed.
- Place a seed in each hole and cover with soil.
- Put all cups on a waterproof tray in a place that will receive plenty of sun.
- Water as needed.
- It should take 5-10 days for the seeds to sprout.
Have students make predictions in their journals as to how tall their plants will get and how long it will take for their plants to reach that height. Once the seeds start to sprout, have students begin to measure and record the growth. This should be done twice a week. Students should record the height of their plants in their science journals, and draw a picture to illustrate what the plant looks like.
Distribute sunflower seed packets and a copy of the Seed Packet Questionnaire to each small group of students. Have students examine the packets to locate the following information:
- How many days do the seeds require to germinate?
- How many days do sunflowers require to bloom?
- What are the growing conditions required by sunflowers?
- How much space do sunflowers require to bloom?
Sunflowers in Prose and Poetry
Sunflowers are native plants of the North American prairie; One state where sunflowers would be found is Kansas. Share the poem An Ode to a Kansas Sunflower by Ed. Blair with the students. What images does the poem bring to mind?
Share the book Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story about Vincent van Gogh by L. Ahalt. This story is based on the life of Vincent van Gogh and contains several reproductions of van Gogh’s work including Vase with 14 Sunflowers.
Refer to the Earth’s Birthday Project. This Web site asks the students to write their own sunflower poem and provides examples of some student work.
Creating Our Own Sunflowers
Distribute the Create Your Own Sunflower activity, and review the following instructions from the handout:
- Use a 12" x 18" piece of drawing paper.
- Place your paper lengthwise.
- Draw a line about four inches from the bottom of the paper.
- Draw a vase in the center of the line.
- Draw several stems coming out of the vase.
- Use torn tissue paper to create the petals of the flower.
Note: At this point in the activity, distribute cups of glue thinned with water and small brushes to each group of students.
- Demonstrate to students how to apply tissue paper pieces by putting glue on paper and placing tissue paper pieces in glue.
- Overlap pieces of tissue paper until all petals are formed.
Assessment:
Student journals will be used to assess understanding; as well as, lifecycle drawings.
Use the Assessment Rubric to evaluate your students' work.
Sources:
Print:
- Anholt, L. Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story about Vincent van Gogh. New York: Barrons ; 1994.
- Legg, Gerald. Lifecycles: From Seed to Sunflower. New York: Franklin Watts, 1998.
Web:
Authors:
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Karen Smith, Teacher
Saint John Regional Catholic School
Frederick, Maryland US
