A guide for using our resources

Children will sequence the steps of growing a giant pumpkin for a pumpkin boat.

Vocabulary: shade, shell

Science Focus: plants

  1. Watch a Video:

    Paddle That Pumpkin!

     

  2. Read the Issue:

    Grow, Grow, Grow Your Boat!

     

  3. Review Vocabulary Words:

    shade, shell

     

  4. Play a Game:

    Pick a Pumpkin

    Skill: alphabet recognition

     

  5. Complete Skill Sheets

    Show What You Know

    Skill: comprehension

    My Pumpkin Boat

    Skills: drawing, personal response

     

    P Is for Pumpkin

    Skill: alphabet knowledge

     

  6. Lesson Boosters

  • Paired Text: 

    The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll

     

  • Bonus Skill Sheet:

    Pumpkin Diagram

     

  • Scavenger Hunt: P Is for Pumpkin

     

  • Hands-on Activity:

    Mini Pumpkin Regatta

     

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RI.K.1 key details, RI.K.4 vocabulary, RF.K.1.D alphabet recognition, RF.K.3.A letters and sounds, RL.K.1 key details (literature)

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

Paired Text: The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll

  • In this classic, two mice accidentally team up to grow a giant pumpkin. Kids will spot some real pumpkingrowing information from the issue within the story.

Bonus Skill Sheet: Pumpkin Diagram

  • Practice labeling skills with our bonus Pumpkin Diagram skill sheet! Kids can use the word bank to label different parts of the pumpkin.

Scavenger Hunt: P Is for Pumpkin

  • Together, find and circle all the words in the issue that begin with p.

Hands-on Activity: Mini Pumpkin Regatta

Skill: simple experiments

Materials: miniature pumpkins, toothpicks, construction paper, tub of water

  • In advance, cut off the tops of a few miniature pumpkins and scoop out the insides.
  • Now let kids cut sails from construction paper. Help children make boats by attaching the sail to a toothpick and then sticking it in the bottom of the pumpkin.
  • Put the boats in a tub of water and have a mini pumpkin regatta! Kids can experiment with different ways of moving the boats across the water. Kids can try blowing on them, pushing them, and gently splashing the water.