Pumpkins

This week we began our pumpkin unit. I love this unit because there are endless activities that teach so many concepts with this theme!

Pumpkin Investigation

During free choice the kiddos had the opportunity to examine pumpkins and pumpkin seeds using magnifying glasses. It was so fun to listen to the kids talk about their observations.

Painting Pumpkins

Squeeze Paint Pumpkin Art

Melted Crayon Pumpkin

This project was fun, simple, and super engaging! First, we peeled the paper off of 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!

Geoboard Pumpkin

All that was needed to make a geoboard pumpkin 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!

Some of the skills involved in this geoboard pumpkin are outlined below:

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 Pounding

The kiddos had a great time learning how to use the wooden blocks to pound the golf tees into the pumpkin. The kids enjoyed hammering in the tees and then pulling them back out so they could repeat the process. Great fine motor practice!

Bubble Science with Pumpkins!

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles! This bubbly science experiment is a perfect way to combine pumpkin science, fall, and so much more!  Here is what we needed for the science experiment: pre-gutted pumpkins, a straw for each kiddo, water, dish soap, food coloring, and trays to catch the mess! The goals for this experiment were to explore bubbles, explain how bubbles work (basic bubble science), and engage in a sensory experience. 

Washing Pumpkins

It was fun making our pumpkins squeaky clean!

Pumpkin Math Game

Magic Milk Experiment

All that is needed to perform this super fun and engaging science experiment is a shallow tray, milk, dish soap, q-tips/cotton balls and food coloring. When you add a little bit of dish soap to milk and food coloring, the colors swirl around!

Art Class with Ms. Stein

This week the kiddos experimented with using a brayer. A brayer is a hand-tool used historically in printing and printmaking to break up and spread ink. The children were given a colorful palate and were encouraged to roll their brayer into the paint and then onto their paper. They were also given a fork to scrape off some paint to create fun designs!

Zoo Phonics

This week we learned all about Kayo Kangaroo, Lizzy Lizard and Missy Mouse!

Griffin Buddies

This week the Pre-K kiddos met their Griffin Buddies. (Griffin Buddies are not the same as our reading Buddies). Our Griffin Buddies came down to our classroom to get to know their Pre-K kid. Together the older and younger buddies created Jack-o'-Lanterns. You can see them hanging up on our classroom door!

Reading Buddies

Mystery Reader

This week our mystery read was Benjamin's dad! Thank you for coming in to read to us!!

Next week we will continue our Pumpkin Unit!