Pumpkins

During the month of October we house 5 large pumpkins in our classroom.  The week before Halloween we weigh and measure each pumpkin.  Looking at the pumpkins we compare them with the others.  How do they look?  Are they smooth or bumpy?  Are they just orange or do they have other colors on their skin?  

A few days before Halloween I divide the children into 5 groups.  Each group has adults who help with the pumpkin carving.  First each group decides on how they will carve the top of their pumpkin.  Then each take turns cleaning out the pumpkin before a face is designed.  The seeds are separated and counted on paper ten frames.  Each group gets a final count of their pumpkin's seeds. The children take turns carving the face.  It is fun to see the results!

We total the seeds and then Mrs. Jamison saves some to sprout and the rest are roasted to be eaten on Halloween Day.

Halloween story time is fun when our Jack-O-Lanterns are smiling at us as we read spooky stories!