Pumpkin Jack Project 23-24

Autumn is the perfect time of year to learn about pumpkin life cycles, decomposition, compost, and more! Let's have some fun with the Pumpkin Jack Project.

Who is Pumpkin Jack?

Title: Pumpkin Jack

Author: Will Hubbell

Author Summary: The first pumpkin Tim ever carved was fierce and funny, and he named it Jack. When Halloween was over and the pumpkin was beginning to rot, Tim set it out in the garden and throughout the weeks he watched it change. By spring, a plant began to grow! Will Hubbell's gentle story and beautifully detailed illustrations give an intimate look at the cycle of life.

Our Pumpkin Jack

10-10-23

10-30-23

11/27/23

10-16-23

11-6-23

12-4-23

10-23-23

11-13-23

12-11-23

10-26-23

11/20/23

12-18-23

Pumpkin Life Cycle

Important Vocabulary

Click each vocabulary word to research more about it.

Our Experiment:

Carve a small pumpkin.
Place soil in the bottom of a plastic container.
Moisten the soil.
Seal the container.
Place the container in a warm area.
Observe Pumpkin Jack daily and record your observations.

What will happen to Pumpkin Jack?

What's happening to the pumpkin during this process? Decomposition is nature's way of recycling nutrients. Exposure to the elements begins to break down the pumpkin's cells and eventually decomposers like worms and other invertebrates, mold and bacteria go to work breaking the pumpkin down until eventually it turns into compost. (shareitscience.com)

CLAIM, EVIDENCE, REASONING

Click HERE for Claim, Evidence, Reasoning information!

QUESTION: Do you think decomposition is caused by something too small for us to see?

Make a CLAIM that answers the question above.
EVIDENCE: Research and collect data about decomposition to find evidence to support your claim.
Explain your REASONING by supporting your original claim with evidence collected from our experiment.