Pumpkin/Gourd Study

Gourd/Pumpkin Study

Science

• Descriptive properties like size, shape, color, pattern, and texture

• Seeds to fruit - life cycle of a gourd/pumpkin

Mathematics

• Measurable properties

  • Measuring circumference, top to bottom and height using measuring tapes.

  • Using a spring scale to determine weight in ounces.

  • Using a balance scale to compare the weights of different gourds

• Estimation of number of seeds

• Using tally marks for counting

Writing

• Comparison of weight and size.

• Creative and detailed descriptive writing.

Art

The Process

1. Each child chose a gourd that he or she liked. They described why they chose them based on the physical properties they liked.

"I like how it looks like a mini-watermelon!"

"I like that it can spin!"

"This one is really bumpy!"

"I love the colors."

2. Comments about which one was the biggest, tallest, and heaviest led us to pull out our measuring tapes and scales.

3. The children dictated detailed descriptions of their gourds including:

• The color or colors of their gourds

• The texture or textures of their gourds

• Patterns in the texture or colors

• Size and shape

• Other interesting facts

4. We made the descriptions into a guessing game.

Pumpkins!

1. We collected acorns and studied the life cycle of trees.

2. After noticing that gourds and pumpkins were the same kind of fruit, we explored their life cycles. Pumpkins and gourds grow on vines!

3. The children guessed that if gourds could come in so many shapes, sizes, colors and textures, pumpkins could too. We researched and saw that that was true.

4. Then it was time to review what we knew by painting pumpkins, vines and leaves.

5. We adopted a pumpkin, but after we named it AJ, some of the children didn't want to carve it.

6. So, we got another pumpkin and didn't name it!

7. First we measured and weighed our pumpkin. Then, we estimated how many seeds might be inside. (Somewhere between 100 and 1,000,000!)

8. Then, we carved the top and pulled out all the seeds. We cleaned and dried them and then counted them. There were 739 seeds!

9. Finally, we tossed the seeds with oil and salt and roasted them in the oven. The result was DELICIOUS!