Izzie squeezed Nina's hand and smiled.
She loved to go to the woods during summer camp.
Today the campers had a mission.
They were looking for wildflowers!
"How do we know what to pick?" Izzie asked.
"We don't want to pick flowers growing on a vine or bush.
So look for flowers growing on the ground from one stem.
Big flowers with thick petals will be best," Mr. Dunn said.
"Is this one good?" Bobby asked.
Bobby pointed to a white flower the size of a fingernail.
"No, silly," said Izzie.
"You need something bigger and darker, right, Mr. Dunn?"
The teacher nodded.
"Nina, look at this!" Izzie squatted next to two purple flowers.
"Oh, they're so pretty!
I love the color," Nina gushed.
"Can we pick these, Mr. Dunn?" Izzie asked.
"You may. Those look perfect," said Mr. Dunn.
The girls each picked one.
"Here are some!" Jason called.
He pointed to the same kind of flowers Izzie had found.
But his were bright yellow.
And there were only three of them.
Izzie rushed over, pushing Jason aside.
"Let me get one!"
"Izzie." She felt a firm hand on her arm.
"This is not a competition, and we do not push," Mr. Dunn said.
"Sorry." Izzie watched grumpily as Jason, Ethan, and Bobby picked their flowers.
"Jackpot!" Ethan cried.
He pointed to a small circle of color.
It was made up of flowers—dark purple, light purple, and yellow flowers!
"You only need two flowers," Mr. Dunn said.
"Don't pick more than that.
Flowers are living plants, and their home is here in nature."
But Izzie ignored him.
Quickly she picked six flowers.
Back in the gym, everyone placed their flowers on the table.
Izzie had seven.
Everyone else had two.
"We're going to make hammered flower artwork," said Mr. Dunn.
"I'll explain as we work.
I gave everyone two pieces of watercolor paper.
So you can only use two flowers," said Mr. Dunn.
He looked at Izzie sharply, and then continued.
"Place one flower on the watercolor paper.
Then place a paper towel on top.
Using your hammer, gently pound your flower.
Then lift up the paper towel to see what's left," Mr. Dunn continued.
Izzie chose her favorite flower and began pounding.
When she pulled back her paper towel, she gasped.
"It looks like a stamp," Izzie exclaimed.
"But also like a painting!"
Suddenly she felt bad for picking more flowers than she needed.
"Mr. Dunn?" she said.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you.
Can I put my extra flowers in water so they don't die right away?"
Mr. Dunn nodded.
"I'm sure you'll be a better listener next time," he said.
"I'll put the flowers in water.
You can keep working on your hammered artwork.
It looks great."
"Thanks," said Izzie.
Izzie carefully picked off a piece of petal that was stuck to the paper.
Mr. Dunn was so nice.
Izzie knew just what to do with her hammered artwork when it was ready.
She was going to give it to Mr. Dunn!
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