Irah Becomes a Flower Gardener
Irah becomes a Flower Gardener
Lesson duration is: 40 minItems in this lesson
Irah becomes a Flower Gardener
Pre - Reading
Learning Objective
At the end of this lesson, you will understand Irah’s story, identify her challenges and successes, and explore important lessons about friendship, learning, and determination.
About Indonesia
Indonesia is a large country with more than 14,000 islands, hundreds of languages, a tropical climate, and many unique plants and animals.
National Flower of Indonesia
Do you know what the national flower of Indonesia is? (Answer: Melati or Jasmine)
Village Meeting
Farmers and city investors met to discuss growing flowers in Cihejo, Irah’s village.
Irah represents her village
Irah is a cheerful fourteen-year-old girl from Cihejo village in Indonesia. Some investors visit the village headman because they want to invest money in growing flowers. Farmers from nearby villages are invited because they need guidance on flower farming. Cihejo village is chosen as it has good soil and climate. Irah represents her village because she loves flowers and has extensive knowledge about plants.
Why did the investors come to the village?
To buy kites
To invest money in flowers
To sell seeds
To meet children
Why was Cihejo village chosen?
It had many children.
It was near the city.
It had suitable soil and climate.
It had many investors.
Short Answer Questions (SAQs):
Who is Irah?
What was the purpose of the meeting?
Why did Irah represent her village?
Who is Irah?
Irah is a 14-year-old girl, the eldest of four children and the only daughter in her family. She loves flowers and has always dreamed of growing them.
Irah’s Challenge
Irah cannot read. She left school after becoming ill and found it difficult to return, feeling left behind by her classmates.
Feelings and Regret
She was sad and worried because she could not read the flower book needed for the meeting.
She regretted not continuing school and used her illness as an excuse to stop trying.
What did she regret?
How did Irah feel?
Irah’s Problem – Unable to Read
We learn that Irah is asked to study a book about flowers. She needs to know the names of flowers, how to plant them, and which fertilisers to use. However, Irah feels sad because she cannot read. She regrets leaving school earlier due to illness and laziness. She worries that she will not be able to follow her dream of growing flowers.
What book was Irah given?
A story book
A kite-making book
A book about flowers
A maths book
Why could Irah not read well?
She did not like books.
She joined school late.
She fell ill and stopped attending school.
She was too young.
Short Answer Questions (SAQs):
What did Irah need to learn from the book?
Why did Irah regret her past?
How did Irah feel on her way home?
Help from Friends
Irah's friends decided to help teach her how to read, write, and understand the flower book.
Irah’s Dream
Irah dreamed of growing a beautiful garden full of roses and other flowers in her village.
Friends Help Irah Learn
She wants to grow roses but feels helpless because she cannot read. She becomes upset and pushes her friends away. Her mother understands the problem and asks Irah’s friends for help. Irah’s best friend, Sari, promises to teach her to read and write every day. This shows the importance of friendship and support.
Why did Irah become angry with her friends?
They laughed at her.
They talked about the kite.
She was worried about reading.
They refused to help her.
Who agreed to teach Irah to read and write?
Her mother
Her father
Sari
Mrs Sri
Short Answer Questions (SAQs):
Why was Irah upset?
How did Irah’s mother help her?
What promise did Sari make?
The villagers plan a kite competition to attract visitors and investors. Irah is chosen to draw and design the kite because she is known to be very creative and good at drawing. The villagers trust her talent and believe she can make a beautiful kite design for the competition.
Although Irah feels proud to be selected, she is also very worried. She has many responsibilities at the same time. She needs to prepare for the flower-growing meeting and also work on the kite design. She has very little time to do both tasks. This makes her feel confused, stressed, and unhappy.
This page shows that sometimes talented people are given many responsibilities, and managing time can be difficult. It also highlights the pressure Irah feels while trying to fulfill everyone’s expectations.
Teamwork in Learning
All her friends joined in, learning and discussing the book together in an informal classroom.
Writing and Dictation
Irah practised writing and taking dictation with her friends, which helped her improve quickly.
The Kite Competition
Every year, the villagers held a kite competition. Irah was responsible for drawing the kite’s design.
Creating the Kite
The group discussed shapes and designs, bought materials, built the kite, and finally, Irah drew the flower illustration.
Winning First Prize!
Their efforts were rewarded when the village won first prize for the kite’s beautiful flower design.
The Flower Garden
Afterwards, Irah focused on creating her own garden of roses, marigolds, marguerites and carnations.
A Dream Come True
Irah’s hard work paid off. Her flower garden became the most beautiful in the village.
Important Vocabulary
fertilisers = help plants grow, illustration = drawing, irritable = easily annoyed, concentrate = focus attention.
Lesson Reflection
What important lessons can you learn from Irah’s story about learning, teamwork, and not giving up?
Thank You for Learning About Irah!
Short Answer Questions (SAQs):
Why did Irah shout at her friends and run to her room?
2. How did Irah’s mother understand her problem?
3. What shows that Irah’s friends were kind and helpful?
Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
Write down 2 things you want to know more about.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.
