Activities:

The pumpkin is a wonderful subject for observation, prediction, measurement, and problem solving.

1. Children can first predict and then measure or count:
   1. how heavy the pumpkin is;
   2. how tall;
   3. how big around;
   4. how many ribs it has;
   5. the thickness of its skin;
   6. the thickness of its meat;
   7. the number of scoops of seeds it contains. (Use coffee scoops or any similar measures, making sure they are the same size for each student.)
   type="a">
2. Children can describe:
   1. the color of the inside and outside of the pumpkin;
   2. the appearance of the inside and outside;
   3. the size, color, and shape of the seeds.
   type="a">
3. Children can observe the pumpkin and determine:
   1. if the ribs on the pumpkin correspond to the ridges on the stem;
   2. the purpose of the bottom of the pumpkin.
   type="a">
4. Ask the children to predict what will happen when a pumpkin is placed in a container of water. Do they think it will float or sink? What position will it be in: stem up? stem down? stem to the left? to the right? Then actually place a pumpkin in a water tank and see the results. Ask the children to guess if all pumpkins float the same way. Try other fruits or vegetables. Will they float or sink? What position will they be in?

Curriculum Crossovers:

1. Children can draw a picture of what they think the inside of a pumkin will look like when it is cut open.
2. If there is a toaster oven at your school, you can roast the pumpkin seeds for children to eat.
3. Children can grow their own class pumpkin plants. Rinse off a scoop of pumpkin seeds and allow them to dry. Then place them either in a paper cup with a little soil or on a piece of damp paper towel in a sealable plastic bag.