Pre-K is a HOOT! : Pumpkins

Pumpkin Investigation

During our pumpkin investigation we first had to decide if our pumpkin was small, medium or large. We then measured the height of the pumpkin using unifex cubes. Some friends decided to measure the height of just the orange part of the pumpkin, and some decided to include the very long stem! We then predicted whether we thought pumpkins would float or sink in water. Most of the kiddos in our class predicted that the pumpkin would sink! We then placed our pumpkin in a tub of water and learned that pumpkins actually float! They were amazed and wanted to test other items in the room to see if they would float or sink. Finally, we counted the number of lines on the pumpkin. Together we counted 33!

Melted Crayon Pumpkin

This project was fun, simple, and super engaging! First, we peeled broken crayons and used a glue gun (teacher) to secure the crayon pieces to the pumpkin. We then used a heat gun (carefully) to melt the crayons - creating a beautiful design on the pumpkin!

Puffy Paint Pumpkin Craft

Pumpkin Sensory Table

Pumpkin Clothespin Counting

Geoboard Pumpkin

All that was needed for this activity was a pumpkin, pushpins, and rubber bands! As soon as I showed the kiddos how to carefully insert the pushpins into the pumpkin, and then create designs using the rubber bands, they dove right in and got to work! There were so many skills involved in this geoboard pumpkin math fun!

Fine motor skills = pushing the pins into the pumpkins and maneuvering the rubber bands

Creative expression = using the rubber bands to create original designs

Math = geometric shapes and 3D exploration of the the shapes, along with patterning

Science = observing how the pumpkins changed with the insertion/removal of the pins ("look there is water in this pumpkin!")

Literacy = so much language and conversation

Pumpkin Washing

Pumpkin Seed Counting

Tissue Painted Pumpkins

The Pre-K kids love painting! They love gluing! They love decorating pumpkins! How about combining all three of these favorite things into one activity for the perfect activity to accompany our pumpkin theme? We began with tissue paper squares and a paper plate with liquid glue puddled on it, and a paint brush. The object was to paint the pumpkins and add the tissue paper. The kiddos painted a layer of glue, then added some tissue paper, then more glue! They were careful to paint down each corner and edge.

"Pumpkin Soup" by Helen Cooper

Helen Cooper's Pumpkin Soup is the perfect book for a fall preschool story time. The book tells the story of three friends - Cat, Squirrel, and Duck - who love together in the old white cabin in the woods. Every night they make pumpkin soup, and each one has the same job. Then one day, Duck decides to change things up, and they all end up learning a lesson in working together and friendship. Inspired by the book, we decided to try a little collaboration of our own. We mixed our own version of "pumpkin soup" to learn about working together and also how colors mix together, too.

Pumpkin Pounding

The kiddos had a great time learning how to use the wooden blocks to pound the golf tees into the pumpkin. *Please don't tell my husband I "borrowed" all of his golf tees! The kids enjoyed hammering in the tees and then pulling them back out so they could repeat the process. Great fine motor practice!

Happy Birthday Conor!

On Friday we celebrated Connor's 4th birthday with cupcakes and stories read by Mom and Dad! The kiddos had a wonderful time singing and wishing Connor a very happy birthday!

Mystery Reader

This week's Mystery Reader was Zach's Grandma! Grandma Patsy read the book, "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything." The kids enjoyed the interactive read aloud and helping put the felt pieces on the flannel board!