Pumpkin Investigation

For the past couple of weeks the students have been investigating pumpkins and squash. Take a look at our investigation process.

EKW and Background Knowledge
First we discussed experiences, knowledge and what the students wanted to know (wonderings). Then they learned about living things and their needs.

Pumpkin Research
The students learned about the life cycle, growing process, parts and types of pumpkins by listening to different non-fiction stories, watching video clips and looking at text pictures.

Field Trip and Pumpkin Picking
The students got to visit a real pumpkin patch to see where pumpkins grow. We cut open one of the pumpkins from the patch. The students got to help scoop out the pulp and seeds. They also touched and smelled the flesh. We made estimations about how many seeds there were. We put them in groups of ten and counted. There were 436 seeds!

Creating the Models
The students chose a pumpkin or squash that they wanted to sketch. They worked to make sure they added all the details and used the exact colors.

They also worked with Ms. West to make paper machete models. They had so much fun getting "ooey and gooey"! This week the students worked on painting and labeling the models.

Play Based Areas
Each of our play based areas had pumpkin and leaf inspired objects.

Building Area- students created a pumpkin patch

Sensory Area- students did water play with gel leafs

Math Area- students made patterns, measured pumpkins and squash, used a " geo" pumpkin to make shapes and counted seeds

Art Area- students painted pumpkin and squash pictures

Reading Area- students read about pumpkins

Home Living Area- students engaged in pretend play by making pumpkin "dishes"

Writing Area- students drew and wrote about pumpkins

Clay/Play-dough Area- students made "mini" models of pumpkin and squash

Science Area- students used leaves they collected to create leaf creatures

Paper Machete Pumpkin Patch
These are the awesome paper machete pumpkins the students made with Ms. West!  They used different colors like all of the pumpkins we learned about and labeled the parts.  They are all connected on a "vine".

 

Our Display
This is our hallway display.

 The students illustrations of different types of pumpkins and squash.

 The paintings students worked on in the art area.

 Student drawings and writings from the field trip.

 Foldables made by the students about needs and habitats.

Mini models made by the students in the clay area.




What's Next?
Our next investigation will be cooking. We will finish out pumpkins by Thanksgiving break by making pumpkin bread! Yummy!