Pumpkin / Gourd Exploration!
The children have been very busy exploring the wonders of pumpkins and gourds.
Such a humble object with so many learning possibilities! Here is a list of a few of the things the children have been doing with them...
*Discussing the textures that they feel and expanding their sensory vocabulary.
*Looking for the color variations in each one.
*Learning where food comes from and how to be respectful/resourceful.
*Discussing different recipes that call for pumpkin or squash.
*Cooking in the classroom and using measuring cups. (Discussing sanitation and hygiene while cooking).
Check out the recipe for Pumpkin squares that Marcie's class made here
*Comparing and contrasting.
*Measuring the pumpkins / gourds with a ruler.
*Measuring how tall they are and the length of objects in the room using the pumpkins and gourds as non standard units of measurement.
*Weighing the pumpkins using the classroom scale.
*Comparing the weight of the pumpkin to other items in the classroom. Does it weigh more or less than a pumpkin?
*Using links to measure the circumference of the pumpkins.
*Experimenting to see if they sink or float.
*Experimenting to see if they roll down a ramp.
*Learning about the life cycle from seed to pumpkin.
*Learning about the parts of a pumpkin.
*Using their senses to feel and describe the inside squishy guts of the pumpkin!
*Painting/drawing pictures of what they look like and learning to pay attention to the small details.
*Working their fine motor muscles by wrapping yarn/rubber bands around a pumpkin.
*Discussing what we know, what we want to know and what we learned about pumpkins and gourds.
*Singing and acting out various songs such as, "The 5 Little Pumpkins."
*Composting and estimating how long it takes for a pumpkin to rot after its cut open.
*Growing and planting a pumpkin seed.
*Working their motor skills by hammering golf tees into the pumpkin.
*Using the pumpkin like a geo board after the golf tees are hammered into it.
*Estimating how many seeds are inside the pumpkin.
and so many more!!!
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