All about Pumpkins for PreK

Introduction

Pumpkins are perfect for creating fun ways to introduce lots of important early learning concepts with PreK in the fall. Some activities or lessons are: life cycle of pumpkin, pumpkin math counting cards, hammering pumpkins, ETC.

Students learning objectives

– Identify and categorize parts of a pumpkin and life cycle

– Learn different songs about pumpkins

– compare and contrast different sizes of pumpkins

– Develop math concepts by using pumpkin counters with worksheet / number recognition

– Experiment with pumpkins ( hammering, pumpkin volcano, painting)

– hand/ eye coordination and strengthen muscles

– Read different pumpkin stories

During circle time teacher brings different size pumpkins for students to feel and discuss. After a few minutes discussing play pumpkin life cycle song. Can you sort the pumpkins by size?

Next, with pumpkin mini counters and pumpkin number worksheet build on number recognition. Also have bigger pumpkin on science shelf for students to hammer with golf tees. “Read Pete the cat five little pumpkins”.

Build a pumpkin life cycle chart. Carve big pumpkins and ask children: how does it feel?  How does it smell?  Do you like the texture? Let’s save the seed for different activity. Use chart to review parts and cycle of pumpkin. Read “ Splat the cat and the pumpkin-picking plan

Review sheet

This sequence of activities and videos can help students learn about pumpkins in different concepts.

– pumpkin life cycle

– wash pumpkin

– read aloud stories/ videos: Splat the cat and the pumpkin picking plan, pete the cat pumpkin patch, how do pumpkins grow?, pumpkin life cycle song,

– hammering pumpkin

– carve pumpkin and save seeds

Homework

1- bingo daubers with pumpkin worksheet

2- Name pictures of pumpkin life cycle

3- Review what’ve learned