Pumpkin Fest
Age Group: First – Fourth Grade
Time: 2 hours
Standards of Learning
Science: 1.1, 1.4, 1.7, 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.4, 4.5
Math: 1.1, 1.3, 1.18, 2.12, 2.15, 2.24, 2.5, 3.14, 3.21, 4.10, 4.20
Objectives
1. Students will conduct investigations through experiments with pumpkins in which
they will make observations, make predictions, collect data
and formulate questions based on data. (Science 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1)
2. Students will investigate and understand that pumpkins have life needs,
functional parts, undergo a series of orderly changes in their life cycle
and can be classified according to certain characteristics.
(Science 1.4, 2.4, 3.8, 4.4, 4.5)
3. Students will investigate and understand the relationship of seasonal changes and
weather to the life cycle of the pumpkin. (Science 1.7, 2.7)
4. Students will investigate and understand that pumpkin plants produce
oxygen and food and are a source of useful products. (Science 2.8)
5. Students will investigate and understand that soil provides the support and nutrients
necessary for plant growth. (Science 3.7)
6. Students will count objects between 1 and 100 and write the
corresponding numeral. (Math 1.1)
7. Students will count by ones, twos, fives and tens to 100. (Math 1.3, 2.5)
8. Students will collect and organize data on pumpkins using observations
measurements and experiments. (Math 1.18, 3.21, 4.20)
9. Students will estimate and then use a ruler to make linear measurements
to the nearest inch or centimeter while measuring the circumference of a
pumpkin. (Math 2.12, 3.14, 4.10)
10. Students will estimate and then determine weight/mass of pumpkins using
a scale. (Math 2.15)
11. Students will record data from pumpkin experiments using
pumpkins and then use the data to predict which of two events
is more likely to occur if the experiment is repeated. (Math 2.24)
Book List
Growing a Pumpkin
The Pumpkin Patch
From Seed to Pumpkin
From Seed to Pumpkin
Helen Lepp Friesen
Elizabeth King
Wendy Pfeffer
Jan Kottke
The Pumpkin Book
Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night
Apples and Pumpkins
The Bumpy Little Pumpkin
Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden
Pumpkins: A Story for a Field
Pumpkin Pumpkin
Gail Gibbons
Anne Rockwell
Anne Rockwell
Margery Cuyler
George Levenson(also in Spanish)
Mary LynRay
Jeanne Titherington
Building Background Knowledge
Suggested pre-field trip activities to build background knowledge.
1. Read any of the books on the book list. Discuss the life cycle of the pumpkin and
various uses of pumpkins. There are worksheets for the life cycle
of the pumpkin on www.EnchantedLearning.com or www.AtoZTeacherStuff.com.
2. Pumpkin Tasting
1. Have the students share what they know about pumpkins.
Allow the students brainstorm a list of different things which are
made from pumpkins.
2. Cut open a pumpkin and ask the students to predict which part of
the pumpkin is eaten.
3. Have a variety of foods such as pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup,
pumpkin pudding, pumpkin cookies and pumpkin seeds for the
students to sample during snack. * See recipes under Enrichment
Activities.
3. Give each student a copy of attachment 1. Cut out the pumpkin
and fold it in half on the fold line with the left side showing.
Have the students write everything they know about pumpkins
on the left side. After the field trip have students write everything
they have learned about pumpkins on the right side.
4. Give each student a copy of attachment 1. Cut out the pumpkin
and fold it in half on the fold line with the left side showing.
Have the students write down any questions they would like answered
on the left side. Allow children to bring these questions to the field trip
and write the answers on the right side of the paper.
5. Tell the children they will be visiting a farm. Ask them to draw a
picture of what they predict the farm will look like and where the
pumpkins will be growing on the farm. Read The Pumpkin Patch
by Elizabeth King. Then compare their predictions to the story.
Enrichment Activities
Suggested post field trip activities to reinforce instruction.
1. Have the students take digital pictures during the field trip. Use the pictures to make
a photo story about their field trip.
2. Have the students draw pictures and/or write about their field trip,
using attachments 3 or 4. Put all the pages together to make a class
book. Students will enjoy the book during the rest of the year.
3. Use attachment 2 as a follow up to the field trip. Students should be able
to answer the questions using knowledge obtained during the field trip.
4. Allow the students to plant the seeds collected from the pumpkins
used in the experiment. Review the importance of soil, sunlight
and water to the growth of the seeds. * Seeds will need to be dried for two
weeks prior to planting. Place the seeds on a paper towel in a sunny window to dry.
5. Pumpkin Mural
1. Roll out long sheets of brown butcher paper (to represent dirt) and have
students paint pumpkin vines using green paint.
2. Use orange tissue paper to make the blossoms.
Female blossoms: Paint a small Styrofoam ball green. Pinch the
middle of a 4” square of tissue paper to form the blossom. Wrap one
end of a green pipe cleaner around the blossom. Stick the other end
of the pipe cleaner through the center of the Styrofoam ball. Then
attach to the mural.
Male Blossoms: Pinch the middle of a 4” square of tissue paper to
form the blossom. Wrap one end of a green pipe cleaner around the
blossom. Then attach to the mural.
3. Blow up green and orange balloons to varying sizes and attach to
vine to represent the different stages of development of the pumpkins.
4. Have the students identify and label the following parts: vine, leaves,
blossoms, stems, young pumpkins and mature pumpkins.
6. Read Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper. Make pumpkin soup using
pumpkins from the field trip.
Simple Pumpkin Soup
½ cup onion
3tbsp. butter
2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground pepper
3 cups chicken broth
½ cup half and half
Chop the onions and gently brown with butter in a pan. Put mashed pumpkin with
onions in pan. Add the salt, sugar, nutmeg, and pepper. Slowly add chicken broth
and heat thoroughly, but do not boil. To serve,
Pour into a large serving bowl and add the cream. Makes 4-6 small servings.
4. Math Activity for Measurement
Pumpkin Pudding Pie
2 and 2/3 cups cold milk
2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tps. ginger
1 box graham cracker crumbs
whipped cream
Materials
measuring cups
measuring spoons
can opener
2 one gallon Ziploc bags
small plastic cups
plastic spoons
1. Have students measure out the milk.
2. Place a one gallon Ziploc freezer bag inside another one gallon Ziploc freezer bag.
3. Add the milk and the instant pudding to the inside Ziploc bag. Remove the air and
zip closed.
4. Have the students take turns kneading with their hands until the mixture is well
blended.
5. Add the can of pumpkin, the cinnamon and ginger to the bag. Remove the air and
zip closed.
6. Have the students knead the mixture again until well blended.
7. Place ½ tbsp. of graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of each plastic cup.
8. Cut the corner of the freezer bag and squeeze pie filling into the cups on top of the
graham cracker crumbs. Garnish with whipped cream.
Enjoy!
5. Math Activity for Area and Perimeter Grades 3 or 4
Divide students into groups of 3-4.
Give each group a large piece of graph paper. Each square on the paper
will equal one square foot of garden.
Provide seed packages for the types of vegetables students want to
grow.
Have each group design a garden they would like to plant. They will need to read
information from the back of seed packages to calculate spacing for plants.
Draw the garden design on the graph paper.
Students should calculate the area and perimeter of the entire garden
and also the area and perimeter of each crop.
Option: Have students actually plant a garden at school. Great website www.kidsgardening.org
Note: Southern States will provide free seeds to teachers. www.southernstates.com
Websites
www.urbanext.edu/pumpkins
www.pumpkinnook.com
www.pumpkin-patch.com
Videos
www.youtube.com
Field Trip Activities
Materials:
Per Group:
1 cutter per adult
1 pumpkin (various sizes)
1 balloon
1 yardstick
40” piece of string
scraping tool
black marker
Life Cycle of the Pumpkin
Photo Story
1 plastic bag (per student)
1 data sheet (per student)
1 pencil (per student)
tub of water
scale
Procedure
1. Whole Group: (20 minutes)
1. Show the photo story of the life cycle of the pumpkin.
Identify each part of the plant and its purpose.
Seed – contains the first two seed leaves and nutrients to grow
Root – supports the plant, collects water and nutrients from the soil
Vine – supports the leaves carries water to the leaves and
Pumpkins
Tendrils – grasp like hands to support the vine
Leaves – take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen
- First two are seed leaves found in the seed.
- They use sunshine and air to make food for the plant.
- Big leaves have prickly edges that shelter pumpkins from
the sun and keep the soil moist
Blossoms – male and female one needs the other. Females have
little ball at the end of the blossom. Can be eaten!
Stem – the part of the vine where the pumpkin grows
Basic Needs:
Soil – provides nutrients and water to the plant
Water – makes the plant grow: 90% of a pumpkin is water
Sunlight – heats the soil in the spring and makes the
Seeds grow; helps the leaves
take carbon dioxide and make oxygen.
2. Pumpkin Experiments: (60 minutes)
Explain to students that they will be doing experiments and collecting
data to answer these questions: (hand out data sheets)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Do all pumpkins have the same circumference?
Do small pumpkins weigh more or less than your shoe?
Do small pumpkins have more or less lines than large pumpkins?
What three things are inside a pumpkin?
Do large pumpkins have more seeds than small pumpkins?
*Be sure to explain the terms prediction, observation and data.
Experiments:
1. Circumference: definition
Have the students predict the circumference of the pumpkin
and record on the data sheet.
Ask them to try to measure the circumference using the yard stick.
Challenge them to think of an easier way to measure using the string.
Measure the circumference and record on the data sheet.
Compare answers to determine who made the best prediction.
2. Weight:
Allow each student to hold the pumpkin to predict the weight and
and record prediction on the data sheet.
Weigh the pumpkin, record on the data sheet and compare answers
to determine who made the best prediction.
3. Lines:
Have the students predict the number of lines on the pumpkin and
record on the data sheet.
Count the lines, record on data sheet and determine who made the
best prediction.
4. Sink or Float:
Blow up balloon.
Have each student hold the pumpkin and the balloon. Ask the
students predict which of these items will float. Ask each student
to explain their predictions and record on the data sheet.
Place the pumpkin and the balloon in the tub of water to make their
observations and record results on the data sheet.
Have the students discuss what makes the pumpkin float.
 the balloon is a clue!
5. Number of Seeds:
Remove the top of the pumpkin and allow the students to observe
inside. Have the students estimate the number of seeds and
record on data sheet.
Allow students to remove the inside contents of the pumpkin.
Discuss the different ways to count the seeds (by 1, 2, 5 or 10’s).
Determine which way will be the easiest counting system.
Count seeds and record result on the data sheet.
Determine who made the best prediction.
Does the size of the pumpkin correspond to the number of seeds?
6. Inside Seed:
Have each student dry off a seed and try to split the seed open
using their fingernail.
Help students identify the seed sack and where they think the
seed will sprout.
Allow students to fair share seeds and place in their own plastic
bag to take home. (use black marker to write name on the bag)
7. Data Results: (clean up mess first)
Have students record results from other groups on their data sheets.
Use data sheet results to answer the questions on the back of the
data sheet. Raise your hand when your group is finished. Collect
sheets to give to the teacher.
3. Visit Pumpkin Patch: (20 minutes)
4. Hayride and Farm: (20 minutes)
worksheet
Name _______________________________ Group ________
1. Do all pumpkins have the same circumference?
2. Do small pumpkins weigh more or less than your shoe?
3. Do small pumpkins have more lines than large
pumpkins?
4. What three things are inside a pumpkin?
5. Do large pumpkins have more seeds than small
pumpkins?
6. Do pumpkins sink or float?
worksheet
Attachment 1