Rosa's Big Sunflower Experiment
Rosa Series
on Goodreads (18)
What’s inside...
Rosa's Big Sunflower Experiment follows the story of a young girl named Rosa who embarks on a scientific journey to grow the tallest sunflower. Along the way, she learns about the science of plants, the value of patience and observation, and the importance of recording her findings. Rosa's experiment brings her closer to her friends and family as they assist her in this green-thumbed adventure. Rosa's group of friends want to learn all about growing their own sunflowers! The book covers each step, from planting the seed to examining the minibeasts the fully-grown flowers attract. It provides plenty of examples for ways children can practice purposeful writing, as well as inspiring a lifelong interest in STEM subjects.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
20 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Rosa learned from her sunflower experiment?
Can you think of a time when you tried something new like Rosa? What was the outcome?
Why do you think Rosa was interested in growing sunflowers?
How do you feel when you work on a project or experiment?
What would you do differently if you were conducting Rosa's experiment?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences to Rosa’s experiment. Ask open-ended questions to promote critical thinking and help them articulate their thoughts. Use the story as a springboard to discuss the value of perseverance and learning from trial and error. Share your own stories of trying something new to create a meaningful connection. Finally, reinforce the concept that learning is a journey, not just an outcome, to inspire ongoing curiosity and exploration.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: Rosa's journey with growing sunflowers showcases her curiosity and investigative spirit as she experiments with different growth conditions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by exploring and learning through their own hands-on activities and experiments, whether in science projects or daily new experiences.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Care
Explanation: In the story, Rosa learns to take care of her sunflower by understanding its needs — water, sunlight, and attention.
Real-World Application: This lesson translates into everyday life as children learn the importance of responsibility by caring for pets, plants, or even their personal belongings.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: As Rosa waits for her sunflowers to grow, she learns the value of patience and the importance of perseverance through ongoing care and observation.
Real-World Application: This resonates with children as they understand that some results, like the growth of a plant or mastery of a new skill, require time and persistence.
Example Lesson: Observation and Recording
Explanation: Rosa keeps a diary to record her observations about the sunflower experiment, emphasizing the importance of tracking and analyzing data.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to observe changes and record their findings, enhancing their analytical skills and attention to detail in school projects or daily life.
Example Lesson: Learning from Failure
Explanation: Not all of Rosa’s sunflowers thrive, which teaches her to learn from setbacks and try different approaches in subsequent attempts.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that failures are part of learning and that adaptability and resilience are key to overcoming obstacles.