Pumpkin Science....A Bright Idea!

Ask this question for creating a science experiment:  

Does the largest pumpkin have the most seeds?

I do not give my students spoons.  I like that they have to touch the inside and truly get to "experience" the pumpkin.  All the seeds go on a large baking sheet where I have taped a piece of their paper as a label to identify the group.  Pulp goes on the paper, then it all goes in the trash.  I don't worry about bits of extra pulp.  BUT.....trust me, let the seeds dry overnight before trying to count them.  They won't be totally dry, but they will be significantly less slimy and easier to count.

We always take time the first day to talk about what we saw, smelled, felt, and heard (we save tasting for another day) as we were observing our pumpkins.  We record our describing words on an anchor chart and use that to write about pumpkins too.

Every time I have done this activity it has gone smoother with parent volunteers, one for each group.  Even second and third graders have a hard time keeping track counting.

If you liked this bright idea consider following me on TpT, facebook, and here on this blog, KinderKapers.  There will be more tips on what to do with your leftover seeds and how to keep your pumpkin from molding (not forever....but longer).

Next week is Pumpkins and Skeletons and math manipulatives from beyond the grave!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and more Pumpkins!!!

Ask this question for creating a science experiment:  Does the largest pumpkin have the most seeds?

I do not give my students spoons.  I like that they have to touch the inside and truly get to "experience" the pumpkin.  All the seeds go on a large baking sheet where I have taped a piece of their paper as a label to identify the group.  Pulp goes on the paper, then it all goes in the trash.  I don't worry about bits of extra pulp.  BUT.....trust me, let the seeds dry overnight before trying to count them.  They won't be totally dry, but they will be significantly less slimy and easier to count.

We always take time the first day to talk about what we saw, smelled, felt, and heard (we save tasting for another day) as we were observing our pumpkins.  We record our describing words on an anchor chart and use that to write about pumpkins too.

Every time I have done this activity it has gone smoother with parent volunteers, one for each group.  Even second and third graders have a hard time keeping track counting.

If you liked this bright idea consider following me on TpT, facebook, and here on this blog, KinderKapers.  There will be more tips on what to do with your leftover seeds and how to keep your pumpkin from molding (not forever....but longer)

For more BRIGHT IDEAS, check out the link-up below.  More than 100 bloggers are sharing their bright ideas today.  Browse through and find a grade level/topic that interests you.  Thank you for visiting!

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Birthday....to me!

Yesterday was my birthday and I wanted to have a party.  What better way to celebrate than with 26 excitable Kindergarteners?

First I needed a cake....and a cake needs candles.
So....if a cake can only have 10 candles how many cakes will we need?  GREAT discussions and thinking going on (and yes I bit the bullet and confessed my true age).  Then they went to work drawing me some cake.

I just love the first two cakes....then I guess I am just too old.  She ran out of steam making the last ones.  Candle burning hats? hair?  I just love it!  She counted to 56 for me...and she just ignored the extra flowers and unfinished cake...so I did too.

This student wanted me to know each of the cakes he made for me.  Do you see the ghost cake?  He was the most proud of that one.  But there was also the heart cake and the chocolate chip one too.

They all wanted to know if I was going to blow out the candles.  Of course I will....candles have to be lit, don'tcha know?

After cake we need a party and some party games.  What better game than musical chairs? 

More good discussion of more, less and the same.  We are starting to be more and more comfortable using the word equal!!  I LOVE math!

Surprise!!  Do we have more students or more chairs?  I snuck that one in on them and they were surprised.  It was so funny!!

 I have just two questions...
Do you celebrate your birthday in class?
What fun things do you do when you are teaching math?