Sunflowers are important in our gardens.  We grow many varieties all over the school grounds.  The students plant hundreds of seeds as part of Earth Day.  The day before school begins students come with their parents to meet their new teacher.  As they enter the building, each child is presented with a sunflower to give his new teacher.    

We even have a learning center that is focused on sunflowers.   The Sunflower Reading Room was the idea of first grade teacher, Mrs. Lawrence. She originally wanted to turn a space outside her classroom into a reading room surrounded with sunflowers but the area was too shady. So we decided to create a large sunflower reading room in a sunny spot where all of the classrooms can use it.  Eagle Scout, Ryan Tedford, built the learning center with benches for the students and rocking chairs for the teachers.

Sunflowers are not only beautiful to look at, they provide many opportunities for cross curriculum learning at all grade levels.  The sunflowers also invite butterflies and other insects to the area.  Some birds come for the seeds while others come for the insects.