Garden Lessons: Pumpkins and seeds and math, oh my! (3rd Grade)

 
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Grade(s): 3rd

Lesson Objective(s): Students use math skills to count pumpkin seeds, round to nearest 10, and recognize life cycles in pumpkins

Supplies Needed

  • 1 pumpkin per student, stems already pre-cut

  • newspaper & tape, to lay down on tables for an easier clean-up

  • Plastic gloves for students who don’t want to get hands messy

  • Soap (by hand-washing station)

  • Pumpkin Word Problem Sheet

  • Bins/bowls (in middle of table, for pumpkin guts/seeds

  • Roasted Pumpkin Seed Snack, in sample cups

  • Harmonica


Introduction (5 mins):

  • Welcome everyone to garden: introduce self & grown-up helpers again

  • Introduce Pumpkin

Activity (20 mins)

Part 1- Dissecting Pumpkins:

  • Each student gets a pumpkin with the stem top already pre-cut

  • Students can use gloves or their hands to scoop out guts and separate seeds, guts, and pumpkin shell into different bowls

Part 2- Pumpkin Word Problems

  • Each student gets a pumpkin word problem worksheet, a clipboard, and a pencil

  • Work on the worksheet for a little bit. Once most students are done, review answers.

Wrap up (5 mins)

  • Ask students: What would happen if we planted this seed?

  • Pass out pumpkin seed snack

Classroom Extensions:

After:

Garden LessonsTeresa Woodard