Sunflowers

Continuing on with our interest in gardening Emily, Caelyn, Isabella, Lyrique and Acacia made their own plant labels for the sunflowers we had planted in the veggie garden. Using pens, crayons and pencils children drew their own sunflowers after finding their name on the labels. After laminating their labels, they took turns to use the hot glue gun (with help) to attach a strong pencil at the back of their sunflower label. We moved to the veggie garden and I lifted Emily, Isabella, Libby and Acacia over the low fence to place their label in the ground by their sunflower.

We checked these through out the day and used the hose to water them and the whole garden.

Lots of conversations took place during this process such as, "my sunflower (drawing) has leaves", said Libby. Isabella very safely used the glue gun stating "this feels warm yay". Lyrique's glue came away from her pencil and label so together we found the cello tape to, "fix it, then it can go in the garden ah?", she said. Emily commented "those sunflowers are pretty (of the printed out sunflower templates) I can see the yellow and look leaves". Acacia assisted in the garden saying "that's your one (sunflower plant) Jessie and that's my one".

These friends demonstrate receiving and producing information, they produce and respond to questions and requests and show social awareness when interacting with others- through Levels One and Two Learning Languages for 'The New Zealand Curriculum'.

By making these labels, "Children develop an understanding that symbols can be 'read' by others and that thoughts, experiences and ideas can be represented through words, pictures, print and shapes", Communication, Te Whaariki.

Sadly over night the slugs and snails ate most of the sunflower leaves, so we will see what happens next?

Jessie