A guide for using our resources

Children will identify ways to use different parts of a pumpkin.

Vocabulary: compost, flesh, jack-o’-lantern, pumpkin, rotten, seeds, shell

Science Focus: plant parts

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• Peter wants a perfect pumpkin—but what will he do with it?
• A sweet, simple plot and sprightly rhymes make this book a delight to read.

• Pumpkin begins with p. Invite children to look around the classroom and point to other things that start with p. They might find paper, pencils, paintbrushes, and more!
• Kids can also point to the letter p wherever they see it in environmental print.

• Using leftover pumpkin from a jacko’-lantern is a great way to reduce food waste.
• Together, brainstorm foods to make from pumpkin as you write them on the board. Can children name the food mentioned in the issue? Pumpkin pie! You can also make roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin muffins!

Skill: plant science

Materials: small pumpkin, soil

• What’s another way to use a pumpkin? As a planter! Carve the top off of a small pumpkin and scoop out the pulp and seeds to make a pumpkin “planter.” Add soil and water to the pulpy seeds, filling the pumpkin almost to the top.
• Let your pumpkin get sunlight and water as needed. Pretty soon, you’ll see a new pumpkin sprout inside the pumpkin!