Lesson Plan

Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden Lesson Plan

  • Grades: PreK–K, 1–2

About this book

Grade Level Equivalent: 2.4
Lexile Measure:
Guided Reading Level: NR
Age: Age 6, Age 7, Age 5
Genre: Rhyming Story, Realistic Fiction
Subject: Outdoor Activities and Recreation, Autumn Themes, Halloween, Plant Life Cycles

Overview

The photographs in Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden are fantastic. Students enjoy learning about the life cycle of pumpkins, while viewing the vibrant photo illustrations.

Objective

Students will "recognize that animals (including humans) and plants are living things that grow, reproduce, and need food, air, and water." --Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework

Materials

  • Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson
  • pumpkin seeds
  • potting soil
  • spade
  • water
  • 2 small planting pots
  • marker
  • chart paper

Set Up and Prepare
If you're in need of soil or other planting supplies, try putting a request in your newsletter. Parents are more than willing to make a donation to the classroom.

Directions

As a group, plant the seeds in the pots. Have students predict what will happen to the individual seeds if one seed is watered and the other is not. Record the predictions on the chart paper.

Water one of the seeds, making sure to label it as having been watered. Label the other one as not having been watered. During the next few weeks, have students observe what happens with the two seeds. (Be certain to continue to water the one plant.) Meet as a group to review the predictions on the chart paper, and how they relate to what actually happened with the seeds.

Lesson Extensions

Students can try planting individual pumpkin seeds, placing one in the dark and one in the light. Use recycled lunchtime milk cartons for planters. Use a shoebox to shield one of the plants from light.

Related Resources
www.pumpkincircle.com/contents.html

  • Subjects:
    Literature, Literature Appreciation, Life Cycles, Real-World Science, Science Experiments and Projects, Plants, Plant Growth and Development, Plant Life Cycles, Science through Literature, Observation, Halloween
  • Duration:
    2 Class Periods
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