Petal Presser Teacher Guide
Petal Presser Teacher Guide
Floral Artistry: Pressing and Creating
Time
1 Hour
Audience
Ages 7-8
Goal
Preserve & Create
Why This Lesson?
This lesson blends botanical science with creative expression. Students develop fine motor skills through delicate handling of petals and learn the concept of moisture removal for preservation. It fosters a deep appreciation for the natural world and the fleeting beauty of flowers.
Prep Needs
- Source a variety of fresh flowers (pansies, daisies, and ferns work best).
- Crucial: Press a batch of flowers 1-2 weeks in advance for the art portion.
- Set up "pressing stations" with books and paper towels.
Materials
• Fresh flowers & Pre-pressed flowers
• Heavy books or flower presses
• Paper towels or blotting paper
• Cardstock or construction paper
• Glue (bottled or glue sticks)
• Scissors & Markers
• Bloom Binder Worksheet
Instructional Roadmap
1
Introduction: The Art of Preservation (10 mins)
Discuss why we might want to keep flowers forever. Introduce "pressing" as a way to stop time for a blossom.
- Show a fresh flower vs. a pressed one.
- Ask: "Where did the water go?"
2
Hands-on: Pressing Time (20 mins)
Demonstrate the "sandwich" method: Paper towel → Flower → Paper towel → Heavy Book.
- Students arrange their fresh flowers on the towels carefully.
- Emphasize not overlapping petals for the best results.
- Label books so students know which belongs to them.
3
Creativity: Botanical Art (20 mins)
Hand out the pre-pressed flowers. This is where they build their masterpiece.
- Use small dots of glue (less is more!).
- Students can draw around flowers to create scenes (a garden, a butterfly, etc.).
4
Gallery Walk & Cleanup (10 mins)
Share artwork and reflect on the delicate process. Collect the newly pressed flowers to store for future use.
Bloom Binder Worksheet
Bloom Binder Worksheet
Botanist Name
Date
Floral Artistry Lesson
The Botanist's Kit
What materials do you need to press and dry your flowers? Draw or list them below.
Step-by-Step Pressing
How did we preserve our flowers today? Describe the steps in your own words.
1
2
3
4
My Masterpiece
What did you create with your pressed flowers? Describe your design and the types of flowers you chose.
Floral Artistry Slides
Floral Artistry
Preserving Nature's Beauty
What is Flower Pressing?
Flower pressing is a way to preserve flowers by removing their moisture and flattening them.
It's like taking a photograph of a flower using the actual petals!
Why do we press flowers?
Keep Memories
Save flowers from special days or your favorite garden.
Study Nature
Look closely at petals, stems, and leaves forever.
Create Art
Use nature to make bookmarks, cards, and pictures.
The "Sandwich" Method
1
Lay a paper towel on a flat surface or inside a heavy book.
2
Place your flowers face down. Don't let them overlap!
3
Cover with another paper towel and close the book.
Time to Create!
Use your pre-pressed flowers to make something beautiful. Think about:
Layout
Arrange your flowers first before you add any glue. Move them around until it feels just right!
Details
Use markers to draw stems, background scenes, or even tiny insects visiting your flowers.
Sharing Corner
What did you learn about nature today?
