I Ate Sunshine For Breakfast

Why the book was selected
This beautifully illustrated book combines fascinating facts about plants with practical plant DIY projects. It was chosen for Year 4 as it will build upon the learning from the Year 3 science programme of study and develop a deepening interest and understanding of how plants shape our world and how humans have harnessed the power of plants in so many ways. The book combines distinctive illustrations with well-written text. Michael Holland uses scientific language whilst retaining an appealing and accessible tone, making this a wonderful non-fiction book to explore with children. This book is packed full of fascinating information, so we don’t suggest that you read the entire book to teach the sequence. However, we recommend that you make sure that copies are available for children to revisit the pages you have read together and explore pages that interest them, independently.
This book could be revisited in year 5 as it presents opportunities for reinforcing science content for this year group.
Links to National Curriculum in England
Living things and their habitats
Pupils should be taught to:
- recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways
- explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment
- recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things
Curriculum connections
- Science
- plants
About the author
Michael Holland started growing plants at the age of 8. Inspired by The Pip Book by Keith Mossman, he started growing plants in the airing cupboard. His love for plants continued to develop and so too did his desire to teach others about plants. Having studied Ecology at Lancaster University and Oregan State University he then went on to have a long career at Chelsea Physic Garden where he became Head of Education. During his 17 years in this role he taught people of all ages about the natural world. His passion, excitement and fascination for plants is evident in this book that leaves the reader in no doubt about the importance of plants in every part of our lives.
About the illustrator
Philip Giordano’s unique style combines simple colourful shapes to create stunning illustrations with personality. Born in Italy to a Filipana mother and a Swiss father he has developed a love of travel and currently lives in Tokyo. Giordano studied at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and at the European institute of Design as well as earning a Master in Animation in Turin. His illustrations have won many awards including: Silver Medal by the Society of Illustrators; the White Raven Award; the International Illustration Prize. Giordano explores the use of many different techniques when creating his illustrations using technology to compose digital collages to more natural approaches including painting on wood. He also designs toys and this playful side is apparent in his illustrations for this book.
A note about lessons
Our lessons are organised as meaningful chunks of learning. Most of them will fit a standard 45 minute to 60 minute session. However, some of them are shorter and others will run for a series of linked sessions. It is anticipated that you will not teach all the lessons. Select those that suit the needs of your class and add them to your personalised plans.
I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast:Class Set
Buy from Best Books for SchoolsI Ate Sunshine for Breakfast:Half Class Set
Buy from Best Books for SchoolsText potential
Lessons for this book
Before Reading
Hook
Let’s Get Growing
Sowing seeds to grow food in recycled objects
Orientation
Help the Budding Botanist!
Discovering the skills of a botanist whilst developing plant vocabulary.
Connecting Plants and Humans
Exploring children's knowledge of the connections between plants and humans.
During Reading
First Encounters
Celebrating Connections between Image and Text
Initial exploration of the Images and Text.
Required reading: Front Cover, Front Endpaper, Back Cover
Diving into Diagrams
Understanding diagrams that explain processes.
Required reading: 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24
Designing a Tropical Leaf
Using a kinaesthetic approach to learn new vocabulary.
Required reading: 50 and 51
Digging Deeper
Noun-Maker Verb-Creator
Exploring how to create compound expressions by connecting verbs and nouns.
Required reading: 45, 49, 60, 68, 73
Now That’s a ‘Peculiar’ Word
Understanding the use of quotation marks to highlight a word being used peculiarly.
Required reading: 25, 26, 38
How to be concise and precise
Learning ways to be concise when writing instructions.
Required reading: 26 and 27
Evaluating Illustrations
Evaluating the effectiveness of illustrations
Required reading: 46, 47, 112, 113
After Reading
Review and Reflect
Composing Nature’s Tune
Using reading to prompt exploration and experimentation.
Required reading: 88, 89, 90 and 91
Plant Awards
Selecting the plants that interested us the most.
Wider Learning Opportunities
DIY Activity
Learning more about plants through practical activities.