Creating Paper Flowers
Ages 5 and up (one 45 minute session)
 |
 |
|
Objectives:
- To learn the parts of a flower and about pollination
Materials:
- Lily or other flowers with clear large parts
- Construction paper in different colors
- Colored background paper
- Markers
- Glue
- Pipe cleaners
- Q-tips
- Anything that can be glued to paper to look like flower parts
- Smocks
Set up:
Cut construction paper petals in lots of colors.
Gather and arrange additional art supplies that will be used.
Note: Lily flowers are a good choice for this activity because they are big flowers and you can see the different parts easily, but it’s pollen stains and may not come out of clothing. Other good choices are; male and female flower from a summer or zucchini squash, daffodil, or tulip.
Part One:
Start by looking at the flowers with the children. Talk about the different parts and what their function is. Talk about pollination. Use the Q-tips and demonstrate how the pollen would stick to the fuzzy hairs of a bee. Talk about the way they pollinate by accident while looking for food. Talk about what they see.
Part Two:
Have each child choose a piece of paper to use as background. Have them choose a flower to re create. Then count the number of petals. Compare the number of petals on each flower. Count the number of stamens, and pistils. Talk about plant families. Talk about the layers or whorls in a flower. Have them draw a stem and leaves. Pass out paper petals and have them create the flowers. They can add the additional parts with markers, or cut pieces of construction paper or anything else you supplied for them to use. Q-tips make great anthers!
Questions to ask:
- Why do you think some flowers have bright colors or sweet smells?
- Do you have a favorite flower?
- What is the color of your favorite flower?
- Have you ever noticed how many petals your favorite flower has?
- How many petals does this flower have?
- What do you enjoy about flowers?
- What is pollination? Why is it important?
- What would happen to us if plants weren’t pollinated?
Glossary:
Whorls: 4 layers(sometimes less) of a flower (calyx, petals, stamens & pistils).
Calyx: greenish cup structure the petals, stamens, and pistils sit in.
Petals: parts usually colored, like the white segements of a daisy.
Stamens: male pollen bearing parts.
Pistils: female egg bearing parts.
