To make paper plate sunflowers with on and above level students, distribute the following materials: paper plates, yellow construction paper (with petal patterns drawn on them), glue, safety scissors and sunflower seeds. Direct students to cut out the petals drawn on the yellow paper. Next, instruct students to glue the petals around the paper plate. Last, instruct students to put glue in the center of the plate and place sunflower seeds in the glue. Allow the projects to dry before displaying.
To make paper plate sunflowers with a group of on level learners, distribute paper plates and yellow finger paints. Instruct students to paint the plates. Show students an example paper plate sunflower before and during the activity. Cut out petals for students and distribute. Instruct students to place the petals around the plate, leaving space in the center. Next, direct students to stick the petals into the wet paint. Put glue at the center of each student's plate. Distribute five sunflower seeds to each student. Instruct them to place the seeds into the glue. Allow projects to dry before displaying.
Provide real sunflowers to show students for this paper plate sunflower craft. Distribute paper plates and yellow finger paint. Instruct students to paint the plates. Assist students in applying brown paint to the center of the plate. Next, put a small dab of glue over the brown paint for each student and instruct them to place one sunflower seed in the glue. Distribute one sunflower seed to each student for this. Allow the projects to dry before displaying.
Reading materials to use before, during or after the paper plate craft activity include the following: "This is the Sunflower" by Lola M. Schaefer; "And A Sunflower Grew" by Aileen Fisher; "Sunflower!" by Martha McKeen Welch; and "Sunflowers" by Cynthia Overbeck. Students enjoy listening to these and other stories about the sunflower.