GRADE LEVEL: K-3
SUBJECT: social studies/science/math/reading
MATERIALS:
A pumpkin from buckelew farms pumpkin patch, BOOKS: Big Pumpkin & Pumpkin Jack, string, scissors, tape, crayons, markers, paper, water in large tub, large balance to weigh pumpkin, blocks.
Step 1: (SOCIAL STUDIES) Go on a field trip to Buckelew Farms Pumpkin Patch. During your field trip discuss with your students the economics of how a farm is run. Who in the community works on a farm or pumpkin patch. How is it kept running throughout the year. Also, discuss the seasons (SCIENCE/WEATHER) in which you can have pumpkins grow. Observe the climate & the people who are working there. How are they dressed, why are they dressed that way. What types of tools & equipment do they use? Why do they use this equipment? Allow the children to roam the patch & to choose a pumpkin of their choice. It is often fun to see the different types of pumpkins the kids choose. Notice the characteristics of the child & see if they match that of the pumpkin itself. It is fun to guess who chose what pumpkin when you return to class. Some of my tallest students do in fact choose tall thin pumpkins and my small student usually do choose a cute petite one. Before leaving the patch itself ask the kids to estimate (MATH) how big the pumpkin patch is. After dictating guesses, Head over to enjoy the rest of the event. When you return to school use your computer (TECHNOLOGY) to find out more information about how big the patch is & what it takes to manage it.
STEP 2: After enjoying the rest of the fieldtrip, head back to school. Place all of the pumpkins on the counter and have kids guess who picked each pumpkin. This is a fun game. Remember to first write their names on the bottom of the pumpkin while still at the pumpkin patch as not to mix the pumpkins up.
STEP 3: Each student should have their pumpkin on their desk. Hand out the teacher made book titled, "My field trip to Buckelew Farms" first the kids will do a variety of math & science investigations with their pumpkins.
Such as:
1. Estimate the number of ridges
2. Count the ridges, how much were you off by?
3. How fat is your pumpkin? To find out first guess. Take a piece of string and cut it as long as you think will fit around your pumpkin's tummy.
Next, try and fit it around your pumpkin. How did you do? Was it too long or short? Now, cut a belt of string that fits just right. How long is it? Measure it using both inches & centimeters.
4. What about weight? Estimate how much your pumpkin will weigh? How many blocks will it take to equal the same weight as your pumpkin?
5. Sink or float? Take a guess. Will your pumpkin sink or float in the tub of water? Explain your reasoning. Then test it. What happened? Why do you think that happened.
6. As a class, using large green & brown butcher paper for the patch, give each student a piece of orange construction paper to illustrate their individual pumpkin. They can even practice their design & how they plan to carve it with their parents. Have the students brainstorm & write all the different things they learned from attending the trip & have them put it into writing. Use these illustrations and writings to create a class bulletin board showcasing what they learned from the fieldtrip to Buckelew Farms for all to see & learn from.
7. Read the children's book: Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
It is about a little boy named Tim who does not want to throw away his pumpkin after Halloween has past. His mother insists & sadly the story discusses what happens to the pumpkin when Tim does not put the pumpkin in the garbage but instead places it their garden in the backyard. As the seasons change so does pumpkin jack. It is a great book that talks about the life cycle of a pumpkin & the stages it must go through. It has a great ending.
Have the class on another day make a book about the stages of a pumpkin-from seed to sprout students can draw & write about the different stages by creating an accordion book.
For Fun:
Have your class read the book: Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
This story involves drama where the kids can get into groups & use their pumpkins to act out the many colorful characters in the story who have a VERY hard time picking or PULLING a very large pumpkin out of a witches patch. It is a take off of the story The Big Turnip. You could also have the class make a venn diagram comparing and contrasting the two stories. Remember to review the importance of what the community (PUMPKIN PATCH) can bring to us all. Explain how important it is to appreciate what we can grow ourselves (NUTRITION)& how to learn from each experience we have. Using the pumpkin seeds after the pumpkins have been carved is a great culminating activity. The class can plant them or the teacher can bake them for a treat. YUMMY!
To conclude, I have given the parents in my past classes a challenge. I had them come up with their most unique pumpkin recipe dish. We have all who want to participate bring their dish to share at our annual pumpkin party (HALLOWEEN PARTY)& the children use a graph to show how many votes each dish received after we have tasted them all . All are winners for participating & receive a prize, but the one with the most votes wins the title of PUMPKIN DISH QUEEN OR KING OF THE YEAR.
Have Fun!!