Learning about plants in the Year 4/5 class at Wilson meant going for a walk to our local plant nursery, Waldecks.
The biggest challenge for parent helpers and parents was walking safely over Manning Road to get to our destination!
Chantal, the store manager, took us on a tour of the nursery, being peppered by questions from students along the way.
First up, we learnt about Eucylapts and the “honky” nuts that need fire to crack them open. After that, we visited the world of the succulents and the plants that live on little water. Finally, the indoor plant section and the plants that change colour depending on the soil!
In the middle of the nursery were koi, or Japanese fish. Children threw seed into the water and saw the giant fish jump up and gobble it down.
At the end, students decided to buy a class plant. Would it be a native and hardy grevillea? Perhaps a fly destroying Venus fly-trap? Ultimately, we chose the Spathiphyllum (Sensation plant). This plant generates luscious green leaves and pretty white flowers. We have decided to call him Oscar.
On our return, we reflected on Genesis 1:11-12:
“Then God said, ‘Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.’ And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”
God had planned the plant life cycle from the start of His creation. Plants that bear fruit and seeds to reproduce are part of His plan. He saw that it was good.
One or our students commented: “God is so amazing to create so many different kinds of plants, all with the built-in power to make new plants.”
Amen to that.
