Autumn Harvest

An Autumn experience that unfolded into so much more!

We gave the children a pumpkin and watched to see where the inquiry went. They learned that pumpkins are harvested in Autumn, which is another word for Fall.

They had the opportunity to touch the insides, and came up with great descriptive words, such as; gooey, slimey, it smelled sweet, slippery, it was cold, sticky, it drips from my fingers.

They worked together, took turns scooping and holding the bowl. There was great communication between the children.

Some math skills where developed. They sorted the seeds and the guts. They estimated how many seeds where inside. We weighed the pumpkin full of guts and weighed it again when it was emptied.

While sorting, fine motor muscles where getting a work out.

I wonder what would happen if we planted a pumpkin seed? What does it need to grow? We gave it soil, water and sun. And guess what? It grew! The children have been amazed to see the seed break open and a small vine begin to grow. Sequencing was being learned.

Many children had the opportunity to enjoy this inquiry. Once they finished with it, they dumped it back in the pumpkin and did it all over again!

And then of course, we had to cook them! We had a fun cooking experience where we learned how to roast the seeds. Kitchen and oven safety. And tasting!

We just had one, or maybe 2....or 5!