Pumpkin Jack Project 25-26
Pumpkin Jack Project 25-26
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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.
🎃Pumpkins Virtual Field Trip! 🎃
Scroll down for updates on Pumpkin Jack!
Who is Pumpkin Jack?
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.
Meet our Pumpkin Jack!
Jack's decomposition as of 12/18/25
9-8-25
Freshly carved!
9-29-25
3 weeks
10-27-25
11-24-25
09-10-25
signs of mold growing
10-2-25
before fall break
11-3-25
12-15-25
9-15-25
Mold continues to grow
10-14-25
after fall break
11-10-25
12-18-25
9-22-25
mold grows on stem and mouth
10-20-25
stem is falling in
11-17-25
1-12-26
Zoom in!
09-10-25
white fuzz and black dots
9-24-25
green, white, black
10-27-25
9-10-25
white fuzz and black dots
9-29-25
black spots
11-3-25
9-15-25
mold around the mouth
10-20-25
9-15-25
mold growing on the stem
10-20-25
Pumpkin Life Cycle
Pumpkin Life Cycle
Important Vocabulary
Important Vocabulary
Click each vocabulary word to research more about it.
Our Experiment:
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 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)
QUESTION: Do you think decomposition is caused by something too small for us to see?
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.
Learn more!
Learn more!
Lesson adapted from activities shared by Blakely Kantor, posted on: https://www.kellysclassroomonline.com/2021/07/pumpkin-life-cycle.html and
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