DRIED FLOWER AND WEED ARRANGEMENTS-FALL ART PROJECT

INGREDIENTS NEEDED—DRIED WEEDS, PLACTIC CUP, SAND, PLASTER OF PARIS,  SPRAY PAINT

Most teachers teach a unit about the fall season changes and how seeds travel.  We explain how the plants get ready for the fall by producing seeds that get planted in many different ways, by wind, some roll, some stick to animals, some are carried by birds and some are buried by squirrels and other animals.  Many times teachers take the easy and lazy way of just showing the pictures of seeds and try to explain how they travel. This makes no impression on the children. They will look at the pictures, remember some of it until the teacher quizzes them and then out of the head it goes. Hopefully more teachers will try to bring in samples of each method of seeds travel and also bring samples of the different seeds for the children to see, touch, and compare. After actually seeing and touching the seeds the children will understand the processes of travel and it will imprint upon their brains.  Taking a dandelion parachute seed, blowing it into the air always thrills the kids. Taking a sticker bush seed and letting the kids feel how sharp they are and letting it stick to their clothes makes the children understand how animals or people can carry them to a new place where they will plant themselves in the spring.

 

I carry the lesson further and make it more fun. We make dried flower and weed arrangements that last forever.  We will walk around a field and cut some of the weeds that have dried.  The more solid they are the better. Fluffy seeds like dandelion or thistle will not do.  From some gardens cape myrtle round seeds, butterfly bush, dried hydrangea flowers, iris and lilly pods, daisy type seed balls, and any other harder weeds will work well. Some of the time, I even will use dried roses, and zinnias
 

  I will put all the collection of weeds on a table outside (you can do it inside but it is messy).  I have the kids fill a plastic cup (a clear one) with about half sand. I use sand because it will hold the weeds in place.  The more weeds the kids put in the cup the nicer and fuller it looks

After they are satisfied with their arrangement, I will fill the rest of the cup with plaster of paris.  This will add weight to the cup and make it permanent. DO NO FORGET TO PUT THE CHILDS NAME UNDER THE CUP WITH A PERMANENT MARKER.! The kids never remember which one is theirs.

 

 

 

 

Next I will spray paint it all gold or silver. The beautiful arrangements can be put into a vase if the parents want. THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS LOVE THEM.  I have been in homes of my previous students 8 years later and the arrangements are still prominently placed on a table or even the fireplace.