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Flowers

Key Stage

1 and 2

Theme

Flowers

Preparation

Find two pictures taken at different times of the year, one in spring or summer and the other in winter (a school wildlife area is a possible example). The contrast needs to be clear: one should be full of leaves/flowers and one bare.

In advance, show each picture to a separate group and brainstorm their feelings when they see these pictures.
Ask questions such as:
'How does this picture make you feel?'
'What words can you think of to describe this place?'

If you have no suitable pictures, these pictures of a tree in summer and winter may be helpful.

Content

  • Show the 'bare' picture first and share the words/feelings that children came up with when they saw it previously. Gather some more ideas if the children offer them.
  • Repeat with the second picture.
  • Ask children what was the main difference between the pictures. Reflect on how the leaves and flowers affect our view, how happy they make us feel.
  • Share with the children that we are lucky to live in a world full of beautiful things that God has created for our happiness and enjoyment.
  • End by reading the first verse of the song 'Think of a world without any flowers'.

Development

IDEAS TO DEVELOP THROUGH THE WEEK:

  • How many different flowers can you name? Why do you think there are so many flowers?
  • Name the different parts of the flower. Build up a flower picture like a jigsaw as you name each part - stem, leaf, petal etc.. Each tiny part makes up an important part of the whole flower. We are a bit like parts of a flower; each one of us makes up an important part of God's world.
  • Read about the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew Chapters 5 & 6, especially Matthew 6:28-30 (suggested source The Beginner's Bible, Kingsway Publications). God values and takes care of the flowers but he values and takes care of us, too. Isn't it amazing to think how special God thinks we are?

Activity

  • Spend time in a place full of flowers. Explore and record children's feelings there.
  • Write prayers of thanks and poems about flowers.
  • Draw pictures of flowers - as wide a variety as possible, or gather collections of photographs. You could also scan these into the computer.
  • Use all the above tasks to create a display based on the collective worship theme.

Prayer

For all the beautiful flowers in your beautiful world,
We like to thank you Lord.
For each part of each flower, for the ground where they grow,
We like to thank you Lord.
For your care for the flowers and your care for us,
We like to thank you Lord.

Songs

'Think of a world without any flowers' (Someone's Singing, Lord, A & C Black, 15)
'I have seen the golden sunshine' (Someone's Singing, Lord, A & C Black, 19)