CCteach

A great pumpkin investigation touching on all STEAM areas. Includes: properties of matter, sink and float, estimation, measurement, sketching, pumpkin parts, counting strategies, counting by 10's. The perfect addition to your pumpkin day or a fall lesson. I have done this in small groups with class volunteers and in a whole group leading it myself with one pumpkin. A great lesson to get all your students engaged. Pro tip: make sure you have cut your hole in the top (stem) prior to the lesson.

I use this activity to introduce tally marks. Get out any manipulatives you have out on your tables or floor and have students grab a handful. Students will represent the number they grabbed by counting orally, drawing tally marks, and writing the corresponding number. Don't forget to model first! The day after the whole group practice, throw it in as a center activity! I have also used it as an assessment at the end of the unit.