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

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater...Lots and Lots of Pumpkin Fun!

Can there ever be too much orange this time of year?  The answer is no if you are spending time with a big Boise State fan, and you are taking the grandkids to a corn maze and pumpkin patch.

The answer is also no, if you want to use your senses and math skills to explore pumpkins.  This week we will be doing just that.

We are reading about how pumpkins grow and creating a life cycle poster.

We will label the parts of a pumpkin.

We will closely observe both the inside and outside of a pumpkin.  We will weigh them and measure them and scoop out all the guts and count the seeds.  We will answer the question...Does the biggest pumpkin have the most seeds?

I have a trick for counting the seeds...scoop them out one day and don't count until the next.  This helps with the slipperyness of the seeds.  They are much easier to handle.

Second trick for counting seeds....use small cups and bigger cups to keep things organized.  10 seeds in a cup, 10 little cups go into a bigger cup.  Start over.  Count  the big cups as 100, and then how many cups of 10, and finally how many little ones left over.  Second part of this trick....invite parents to come and help count the seeds.  I have the best parents!

If you are not tired of pumpkins yet try some of these great books....