October Weeks 3-4
Here's what we did the last few weeks of October!
Halloween Math
I found a jack-o-lantern on Google Images (similar here) and put it in a Word document to make this height chart. This was awesome counting practice, as we counted the pumpkins for every child. So we counted into the teens about 20 times.
Before we measured, each child guessed what their height would be. Then we recorded their actual heights. We also talked about most and fewest.
We covered these standards:
K.MD.2 Compare 2 Objects (Taller and Shorter)
K.MD.1 Describe Attributes (Height)
Pumpkin Shapes
We made jack-o-lanterns. Each child received a pumpkin template and a sheet of black paper with squares, rectangles, circles, and triangles. They chose which shapes to use, and could also draw and cut any other shape they chose.
When we were finished, we graphed the shapes we chose. There were more triangles used than expected so they didn't quite fit!
Here's the template I use for this.
Pumpkin Widths
We drew and cut paper pumpkins (no template here!) and measured the width with unifix cubes. Then of course we graphed those measurements!
What's the Beginning Sound?
To throw in some phonics practice, we made a class book called, "Pumpkin, Pumpkin, what a Pumpkin!" using the first sound in each child's name. This book doesn't seem too interesting or exciting, but it becomes a well-worn favorite!
Making a Jack-O-Lantern
The local store donated a pumpkin to each Elementary class this year. Pumpkins cost about $30 here, so we are very thankful!
First, we took turns sawing off the top and removing the seeds.
We estimated the number of seeds in the pumpkin after we removed them.
Next, we glued the seeds to ten-frames, let them dry, and added them up.
We had 340 seeds! This was great practice for counting by 10's, and for seeing the situations in which being able to count by 10's might be useful!
Choosing our Pumpkin Face
Using the book Pumpkin Heads, the children formed teams of 3, chose the design they wished to make (or made up their own), and drew it onto a pumpkin template. We then numbered the designs and voted for our favorite.
Surprisingly, the children chose the design they genuinely liked the best, as opposed to just voting for their own team.
The winning team was allowed to draw and cut out the jack-o-lantern face.
Then the kids decided they wanted to paint it! The tempera eventually flaked off, making the pumpkin look a little creepy. But it was fun!
Book List
These are our favorite pumpkin books!
A Day at the Pumpkin Patch by Megan Faulkner
Pumpkin Heads by Wendell Minor
Apples by Gail Gibbons
Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington
The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons
