Flower Power: Grow, Press, Dress!

All grades Project 4 weeks

Flower Power: Grow, Press, Dress!

Fernanda P

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Collaboration

Content Expertise

Effective Communication

Self Directed Learning

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Purpose

Throughout this project, you will explore the interconnectedness of nature, art, and sustainability by growing plants and transforming them into creative art pieces. As you partner with local businesses and engage in workshops, you'll deepen your understanding of sustainable practices and how they impact the environment and community. By documenting your journey and presenting your work, you'll enhance your critical thinking skills and gain content expertise, while reflecting on your growth and contribution to a more sustainable world.

Learning goals

Develop a deep understanding of the sustainability and environmental benefits of growing your own plants and creating plant-based art. Engage in documenting and analyzing the growth process of edible plants or herbs, utilizing artistic pressing and printing techniques to communicate their significance. Collaborate with local businesses to explore real-world applications of sustainability in fashion and exhibit your creative process through a public gallery. Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills by examining cultural and environmental impacts and reflect on personal growth and learning throughout the project.

Competencies

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.

Products

Throughout the project, create pressed plant artworks on natural-fiber clothing and paper, each labeled with plant names, uses, benefits, and care instructions. Attempt to sprout edible plants or herbs and track their growth through plant-press art and sun prints. Collaborate with others to develop clay ceramics using molds of the plants you work with. Your final presentation includes a gallery showcasing your artworks and ceramics, offering insight into the cultural, environmental, and artistic impacts of using plants in creative endeavors.

Launch

Kick off your learning journey with an exciting 'Pressed Flower Workshop' hosted by a local eco-focused business. Begin by gathering vibrant flowers and leaves, then immerse yourself in mastering pressing techniques. Personalize your notebook or journal covers with your pressed creations, setting the stage for weekly reflections throughout the project.

Exhibition

Present your work in an interactive exhibition booth where you display your sun prints, ceramics, and pressed-flower clothing. Use plant labels with descriptions that highlight their benefits and sustainability. Engage visitors by sharing your creative process and plant knowledge, encouraging a discussion that inspires others to think about cultural, environmental, and artistic impacts.

Rubric

Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric

Category	Learning Goal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Deeper Learning Competencies	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	I can explore different ways to understand and address complex questions about sustainability and art I can use feedback and my own observations to find creative solutions and learn how plants connect to the environment.	I can explore different ways to use plants in my art by trying out new techniques and materials I consider the benefits of each plant and think about how they contribute to sustainability I show my understanding by making thoughtful choices in my creations and by explaining my decisions when sharing with others.	I can confidently explore different ways to solve problems by partnering with local eco-focused businesses and using my pressing techniques I use my knowledge of plants to create artwork that showcases their sustainability benefits and share my findings with others in engaging ways.	I can creatively solve real-world problems by exploring different ways to make art with plants, carefully choosing which plants to use for their benefits and sustainability, and explaining how my artwork reflects cultural and environmental ideas in our community.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Collaboration	I can actively participate with my peers to create a shared vision for our project, making sure everyone's ideas are heard and considered I work well with others, helping solve problems and making decisions together to ensure our gallery exhibition is a success.	I can participate actively in group discussions, share ideas for the project, and help make decisions with my peers I contribute to the team by listening to others and providing thoughtful feedback to improve our collective work.	I can actively share ideas and listen to others during project planning and execution I show leadership by encouraging and supporting my peers to achieve our shared goals, while also finding peaceful solutions to any disagreements By working together, we create stronger, creative art that reflects our collective efforts and learning.	I can collaborate effectively with my peers by co-designing and adjusting our project plans, making shared decisions, and taking on leadership roles to ensure our goals are met I actively listen to others’ ideas, resolve conflicts calmly, and contribute to a supportive team environment where everyone’s strengths are recognized and utilized.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Content Expertise	I can identify different plants and explain their uses and benefits I can create detailed art pieces using pressed flowers and leaves and label them accurately with plant names and care instructions I can confidently share my artwork and knowledge with others, showing how plants are used in art and discussing their cultural and environmental impacts.	I can identify and describe the names, uses, and benefits of the plants I work with, and I am beginning to document and present the growth and transformation of these plants into creative art pieces.	I can demonstrate my understanding of sustainability by creating labeled pressed plant artworks and sun prints I include plant names, uses, and benefits, showcasing my knowledge through both art and explanations that connect to environmental impacts.	I can create detailed and informative plant art pieces that show my deep understanding of sustainable practices I label each artwork with plant names, uses, benefits, and care instructions accurately and confidently I demonstrate my ability to apply what I've learned about nature, art, and sustainability in my creative projects, showing how these elements connect and impact our community and environment.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Effective Communication	I can share what I have learned about plant pressing techniques by showing my notebook covers decorated with pressed flowers and leaves I can talk about how I picked my plants and used them in my art, and explain why these choices are important for our environment and community.	I can express my ideas about the sustainability and benefits of using plants in art through speaking or writing I share details about my creative processes and plant knowledge with others, using plant labels or descriptions to make my information clear and engaging.	I can clearly explain the steps I took to create my pressed plant artworks and share details about how the plants were grown and harvested I express my thoughts and ideas in ways that help others understand the connection between nature, art, and sustainability I listen carefully to feedback during project discussions and use it to improve my presentation skills so that others can easily follow and engage with my work.	I can confidently share my knowledge and creative process with others by explaining how I made my artworks and ceramics I engage with visitors at the exhibition, using clear and kind words to describe the stories behind the plants I used, their environmental benefits, and how they can be part of our lives I invite questions and lead friendly discussions that inspire others to learn about sustainability.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Self Directed Learning	I can consistently use feedback from my teacher and friends to improve my work and solve problems creatively I take charge of my learning by setting goals, tracking my progress, and adapting my plans to ensure I achieve my desired outcome.	I can explore different methods of plant pressing and identify which techniques work best for creating my artwork I use feedback from teachers and friends to improve my skills, and I keep track of my progress by writing about my experiences and what I've learned each week.	I can confidently use feedback from my teacher and peers, along with my own reflections, to make thoughtful decisions about what steps to take next in my project I recognize the learning goals I need to achieve and take initiative to explore them further, both in class and at home.	I expertly manage my own learning by setting goals, seeking feedback, and using it to enhance my understanding of sustainability and plant-based art I independently document and reflect on my plant growth and art creations, showing how this journey connects to environmental impact and personal growth.

Learning Journey

Empathize

You will launch your sustainable plant art project by meeting real community members who grow plants or work with natural-fiber clothing. Through workshops, interviews, and structured empathy mapping, you will gather direct quotes and observations that reveal authentic needs around sustainability, plant use, and textile choices. By the end of this phase, you will have completed an evidence-based empathy map grounded in at least two real user conversations, forming the foundation for your design work.

Days 1 - 3