Explain to the pupils that, in their groups, they will be sowing wildflowers somewhere in their school grounds. Depending on the wildflower seeds they will sow, show them some photographs of what these flowers will look like once they have grown. Ask the children to look carefully at the observable features of each of these flowers e.g. the colour, shape and number of petals, the size and shape of the leaves. This will help them to identify these plants when they have grown. You could display these pictures (along with the names of the wildflowers) on a science display wall. Each picture should be surrounded with quotes, from the pupils, about their appearance.
But why wildflowers?
Explain to the class that you have chosen to plant wildflowers (over cultivated varieties) because, sadly, over the past one hundred years, nearly all (97%) of British wildflower meadows have been destroyed. However, wildflowers really important! Explain that there are many advantages to planting wildflowers. These include:
- Connecting people with nature and the outside world.
- Changing unused spaces into bright, colourful places.
- Increasing the variety of different plants and animals in one place.
- Help pollinators (such as bees) that are currently under threat.
Mini-beasts, such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and wasps play an important role in their habitats and also help us grow the food that we eat- nearly three quarters of the plants we grow for food rely on pollinators in some way! However, pollinators are under threat and this will have a significant effect on their habitats and on the food we are able to grow and eat. But don’t worry, we can help. We can create special safe spaces for these mini-beasts by planting wildflowers!
Explain that before they can sow their wildflowers, they need to think carefully about what plants need to grow. This will help each group to choose a good spot to sow their seeds.
Activity 2
Split the class into smaller groups and give each group a set of picture cards (see downloads). Some pictures show things that plants need in order to germinate and grow and others show things that they don’t need. Ask each group to sort their cards into two piles (things plants need/ things plants don’t need). After an appropriate amount of time, take feedback from the groups and clarify anything that has been controversial.
Teacher note: Plants need the following things to germinate and grow:
- Warmth – like people, plants need to be the right temperature to grow – not too hot, not too cold.
- Light - Is absorbed through the plants leaves. Plants use energy from the sun to make food.
- Water - Plants need water just like people need water. Plants use sunlight and water to produce food inside their leaves. Water is taken into the plant by being absorbed by its roots.
- Air - Is taken in through the plants' leaves. Plants and animals constantly exchange air with one another. Animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, plants use carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
- Soil- contains nutrients that are essential for plant growth – but not food!
Pupils could also play our ‘Bloom or Doom- The Seedling Game’ game.
After establishing what plants need, each group should be allowed to explore the outside areas around your school and pick a spot that they think will be suitable for sowing their flowers. They should be encouraged to pick a spot that provides the wildflowers with the things they will need to grow.
Having chosen an area to sow their seeds, groups can start preparing the soil ready to sow their seeds.
For advice on preparing spaces for planting, visit Eden’s ‘How to grow wildflowers in your school’ page.
As the video on our website explains, depending on whether each area has been previously weeded, children can either sow their seeds after raking and digging the soil or should weed their area and then wait for a couple of weeks to weed it again and then rake and dig the soil before sowing their seeds.
After sowing their seeds pupils should capture the first stage of plant growth. This should be done using the tracking sheet provided (see downloads). A photo diary of this growth would also be a nice way to record the development of these flowers and may also provide an opportunity to capture changes over the seasons (by looking at features like the weather at the time of each photo and at the clothes the children are wearing in each picture).
Pupils could make signs, to stick in their spot, showing pictures of the wildflowers that they have sown (so they know what they expect to see as they grow) and displaying the names of the children who planted them. This will help them to remember which spot was theirs when they revisit their wildflowers throughout their growth.
