Viewfinder: Maple Grove First Graders Learn About Flower Power

For the last 10 years, sunflowers have made an appearance at each spring.

First grade teacher Julie Winslow invites the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum into her class each year for a "Sunflower Supreme" presentation as part of the plant and seed unit. This year's presentation on Tuesday, May 24 gave first graders a chance to talk about the life cycle of the sunflower, planting and taking care of the plant and its environmental benefits. The presentation is one heard in all first grade Rice Lake classrooms at the Osseo School District elementary school.

After the short presentation, students plant teddy bear sunflower seeds in a pot to bring home and get mammoth sunflower seeds to plant at home.

"We have kids plant the mammoth seed [at home] and bring back pictures of their plant," Winslow said. "Some have grown as tall as their house! We even had one student make stepping stones from a sunflower leaf and he gave each first grade teacher one for them to keep."

The presentation, given by Minnesota Lanscape Arboretum Plantmobile and Day Camp Coordinator Christine Gamm, explores "sunflower diversity" in seed and plant form and teaches the students how the sunflower functions.

"It's a fun way to bring the field trip to the kids," Winslow said.

According to Gamm, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has eight different school programs such as "Sunflower Supreme" that can travel to classrooms across the metro area. If the $4.75 per student fee is cost prohibitive, there are scholarships available for qualifying schools. More information can be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.