It is pumpkin season! Beyond jack-o-lanterns and life cycles- using pumpkins for learning in the classroom.

Pumpkin Science Study: A Multi-Curricular Approach

October can be a little crazy - it is sometimes hard to get students to focus on learning. Over the years I have found that tapping into the Halloween excitement is one of the best ways to get rich learning into a crazy month. One of my favorite October activities is our pumpkin science study. There is so much we can do with pumpkins to teach students about the scientific method, observational skills, and even artistic expression.

The Power of Predictions

We start our pumpkin science study with a simple prediction activity. It all starts with a trip to the pumpkin patch. If I can I plan a field trip for my class. Other years I have simply brought pumpkins to school. On year we even hid pumpkins around the school for students to find!

Whatever method we use to get the pumpkins our unit always starts in the same way. I tell students that I will have pumpkins at school, and I ask them to predict what the pumpkins will look like. Will they be big or small? Orange or maybe another color? This exercise is a wonderful opportunity to explore descriptive vocabulary and stretch our imaginations while also practicing oral language skills as students share their predictions. We also draw our predictions and use a few labels to describe our pumpkin.

To guide students, you might use vocabulary like: bumpy, smooth, heavy, light, round, tall, orange, green, striped, ribbed. Encouraging students to use these words can help them create more detailed predictions and improve their descriptive language skills.

Once we have our pumpkins (I always try to make sure we have a few pumpkins of different shapes, sizes and colors). We compare the actual pumpkins to our drawings from the day before. What assumptions did we make? What do we know now that we didn’t know before? These discussions help students understand how observation can challenge our initial ideas and lead us to more accurate understandings. This also provides an opportunity for students to practice their oral language skills as they share and discuss their observations.

Drawing Like a Scientist vs. Drawing Like an Artist

Our next lesson is about the difference between drawing like a scientist and drawing like an artist. When we draw as scientists, we make careful observations of what we see in front of us. We try to capture details accurately. When we draw as artists, we get to use our imagination—changing colors, adding details, and telling stories.

To guide students, you could ask questions like:

• "What details do you notice about the pumpkin's surface? Are there any bumps or lines?"

• "How can you draw the pumpkin so that someone else could learn about it just by looking at your drawing?"

• "If you were drawing a pumpkin from your imagination, what colors or patterns would you add?"

• "What story could your artistic pumpkin tell?"

  
  

We do two projects: one where students draw and write about what they see in the pumpkin in front of them, and another that allows them to create an imaginative pumpkin drawing. These activities help students practice their writing skills as they describe their scientific observations and their creative artwork.

Chalk pastels on black paper.

Students may create mosaic pumpkins, pastel pumpkins on black paper, or even "crazy pumpkins." Afterward, we compare our two pumpkin drawings. Which one tells us something about the pumpkin? Which one is more fun to look at? Which one tells us something about the person who drew it? This comparison encourages students to think about purpose, perspective, and creativity in their work.

Exploring the Senses and the Scientific Method

Measuring our Pumpkins

The next day, we get to play inside the pumpkins! We repeat our observations, but this time we add smell, touch, and even measure the weight of the pumpkins. I set up four tables where students conduct different experiments, using tools such as measuring tapes, scales, magnifying glasses, and rulers. They measure the circumference, count the seeds, and make other observations. The key here is that students record and report their findings—an essential part of the scientific process. This part of the unit allows students to practice their math skills, particularly measurement and counting, while also developing their ability to accurately document their observations.

Rot or Grow? The Experiment Begins

Next, we embark on our "Rot or Grow" experiment. We cut the tops off three pumpkins, but we don’t remove the seeds. Instead, we add dirt to each pumpkin and make predictions: will the pumpkin rot, or will it grow? Some years, we’re lucky enough to see sprouts, while other years, students experience the process of decay. Either outcome provides a fantastic opportunity to observe change in matter, discuss life cycles, and practice making and testing predictions.

To help plan the activity over time, consider setting up a timeline with observation intervals. For example, observe the pumpkins every 3-4 days and record changes over a period of 2-3 weeks. This helps students track progress and see the changes unfold gradually, providing additional opportunities for practicing their writing skills as they document each observation.

To help plan the activity over time, consider setting up a timeline with observation intervals. For example, observe the pumpkins every 3-4 days and record changes over a period of 2-3 weeks. This helps students track progress and see the changes unfold gradually.

Pumpkin Carving and Art Show

We finish our unit with a pumpkin painting or carving party. Students work alone or with a buddy to design their pumpkins, complete with artist cards and descriptions of their creations. Note: For carving activities, use child-safe tools and ensure adult supervision to keep students safe. I always have parent helpers pre-cut the tops of the pumpkins before we start.

We celebrate with a pumpkin walk, inviting other classes or parents to see our pumpkin art and hear about our learning. Students practice their oral language skills as they present their pumpkins, and their writing skills are highlighted through the artist cards and descriptions. It’s the perfect way to conclude our pumpkin study.

The pumpkin science study is a truly multidisciplinary unit that takes advantage of the natural excitement of the halloween season. Students practice scientific observation, explore the creative process, and develop their math skills. They enhance their oral language abilities by discussing their predictions, observations, and final creations, and they improve their writing through descriptive observation books, artist cards, and art descriptions. By integrating science, art, math, and language skills, this unit leverages students' natural enthusiasm for the season to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience that is both educational and memorable for students.

So what did I learn at school today? It is easier to teacher when your students are excited about the learning. There are so many rich opportunities to tap into our students curiosity and interests to make learning meaningful and fun for me and my students.

What about you - How do you get through October? What activities would you add to this unit?