1-2-3 Come Do Some Pumpkin Math With Me

I'm really enjoying fall.  Love the wonderful weather, and the leaves are just starting to turn here in Michigan. 

I've had a few requests for some simple pumpkin games that teachers can use as an independent center. Several visitors have also asked for some pumpkin-themed number word activities.

With that in mind, I just finished the cute Pumpkin Fun Number Packet. It's 22 pages, and includes a seed counting game, where students match the stem with a number on it, to the pumpkin with the number word on it. 

From there, students count to find the matching "pumpkin guts".  These are circles with pumpkin seeds on them from 1-20. 

To make the game self-checking, write the number on the back of the seed circles and pumpkins. 

If you want, run off copies, so that students can make their own Counting Pumpkin Seeds booklet. They glue the stem to the pumpkin and then staple the edge of the seed circle so that it flips up. 

I've included a cover for them to staple to the front.  This would involve quite a bit of cutting, so you may want students working on this for several days, or simply have them do numbers 0-10. This is a nice fit for Daily 5 word work.

For more practice matching numbers to their number word, I've included 2 trace and write worksheets.  These are great for early finishers, your sub folder or homework.

A slice of pumpkin, is another worksheet, where students trace and write the number and dot that many seeds in the appropriate section.  When they are done, they color the picture.

There's also a "Show Me The Number" activity.  These can be done as a separate table top worksheet for your math block, or run off and staple into a booklet and have students work on a new number each day. 

Before you work on any of these activities, I suggest reviewing numbers and number words. 

I've included a set of pocket chart cards and a poster to help you.  Students can refer to them as they work independently.  

Click on the link to view/download the Pumpkin Number Fun packet.

For another pumpkin-themed number word game click on the link. 

This one helps strengthen finger muscles, as students use clothespins to make matches. 

Seven Pumpkin Games is  another FREEBIE that reinforces numbers. 

As a teacher, I incorporate games because my students really enjoy them, and I can cover a variety of math concepts, while helping them improve their "life skills" at the same time. 

If you want to work on higher numbers, click on the Pumpkin Math packet to practice numbers 1-120. 

You can cover quite a few Common Core State Standards with this "Let's Count Pumpkins" packet, which includes an easy reader where students read, trace and write the numbers, plus circle them in a sequence. 

To cover more standards, children circle capital letters, add end punctuation to the simple sentences, plus count the pumpkins in the group/set and color the puffy numbers as well.

The packet also includes trace and write worksheets for counting from 0 to 120, plus skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's.

Click on the link for a larger set of pumpkin number cards, that you can use in a variety of ways: pocket chart cards, a number line, games such as "I Have; Who Has?" and Memory Match; plus students can practice making up equations, and showing greater than or less than.

Finally, if you use 10 frames with your kiddos, I've made a pumpkin-themed 10 frames set. 

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting. 

I'm off to the dungeon (also known as my basement) to haul up some autumn decorations.  Wishing you a fabulous fall.

"It might be hard at times, but hard is not impossible." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some Pumpkin Activities With Me!

A quick, easy and fun way to help little ones understand number sense, is to have them practice 1-to-1 correspondence. The numbered apple cards, were such a huge success, I decided to make some with pumpkins. With the repetition, children feel empowered, as they know what to do; you don't have to spend time explaining directions, and because there's a new theme, students' interest is still high.

I've included a set of 1-10 pumpkins in color, as well as a set in black and white. Print off, laminate and trim several sets of colored pumpkins.  Using small manipulatives such as mini-pom pom's, flat-backed jewels, or pony beads is great fine motor practice.You can run off the black line set and send home with students who need more help, or as a table top worksheet, have children draw X number of "seeds" to match the number on the pumpkin.

I've found that using a smaller card, instead of one with all 10 pumpkins on it, is less overwhelming for little ones, and keeps them from messing up their piles as they work. When a child completes a mat, they can get another one with higher numbers. You can also use a set of mats to review ordinal numbers.  Click on the link to view/download the 1-to-1 Correspondence Pumpkin cards.

Another quick and easy fall game, is Peek-A-Boo Pumpkins.  It took me an entire morning to design yesterday, but only half an hour to make the actual game, so little ones can play it.  You'll find it so worth your effort, as you can do lots of things with just the letter cards!  I've included a list of activities + Kaboom cards to play even more games. 

To make the Peek-A-Boo alphabet game, simply trace the pumpkin template onto orange construction paper and cut 4-6 pumpkins at a time.  Fold the pumpkins in half, and glue just the edge, to the left side of your yellow-construction paper cards, so that the pumpkin will flip open on both sides of the card, revealing the little ghost.  You can write the letters by hand, or use an extra set of pumpkin tiles and glue them to the front of the pumpkin.  I colored mine to add a bit more pizzazz. 

Children choose a card, and look at the letter on the front of the pumpkin.  They place the matching lowercase letter tile on the card, that they think will match the ghost hiding under the pumpkin.  They flip up the pumpkin to see if they are correct.

To add math practice to the activity, have children keep track of how many answers they get right, by making tally marks on their "pumpkin pal". When children have done all of the uppercase pumpkins, they can flip the cards over and do the lowercase ones on another day.  Click on the link to view/download The Peek-A-Boo Alphabet Pumpkin Game.

For a Pumpkin Word Find, click on the link. There's an alphabetical list of wonderful pumpkin words to increase your students' vocabularies. 

As a little something for "early finishers" print off some easy-to-difficult pumpkin mazes, by clicking on the link:  "A-maze-ing" Pumpkins. I hope YOUR "little punkins" enjoy these fall activities with a pumpkin theme.

Thanks for visiting today.  I blog daily; so I hope you can stop by tomorrow for the newest FREEBIES hot off the press.

Feel free to PIN away.  To ensure that "pinners" return to THIS blog article, click on the green title at the top; it will turn black, now click on the "Pin it" button on my menu bar.  If you'd like to take a peek at all of the awesome-educational items, I spend way too much time pinning, click on the heart to the right of the blog. I have an entire board of just pumpkin activities.

"The one exclusive sign of thorough knowledge, is the power of teaching." -Aristotle

1-2-3 Come Measure Pumpkins With Me!

Since the Apple Investigation booklet was such an overwhelming success, I decided to make one for your pumpkin studies.  This quick and easy booklet, will help your kiddo's learn about measurement in an interesting and fun way.

Students measure height, weight, width and circumference of their pumpkin. They trace and write vocabulary-building words, predict, answer questions, + collect and analyze data.  Investigating pumpkins, will help with Common Core State Standards: K.MD.1a, K.MD.2, 1.MD.1, and 1.MD.2.

Introduce measurement, by showing students all of the measuring materials and ask them if they know the names of these objects and what they are used for. 

Discuss the value of measurement, as well as how and why people measure things. 

You can do this booklet as a whole group activity using one or two large pumpkins, have students work in groups of 2-5 sharing a pumpkin, or use miniature pumpkins, and ask for donations. 

One year I had a parent who grew the gourds that look like miniature pumpkins; they brought in an entire box full. Another year, a child's family grew pumpkins, and donated a class supply of really small ones.  Often, farm markets will give teachers a discount, if you simply ask. 

Allow a few minutes for children to really examine their pumpkin by touching it, smelling it, and then describing their pumpkin to a partner etc.  I think one of their favorite pages will be measuring a partner with a pumpkin.

To make this do-able for non or beginning readers, work on the booklet as a whole group.  Read the 1st page aloud and model what you want your students to do, then have children do that portion of their investigation with their pumpkin. 

If you are teaching PreK, you might want to do just 1 booklet as a class.  Older students can work on this independently.  Allow enough time, so children don't feel rushed, and everyone gets a turn using the scale etc. 

To expedite things, you may want to borrow several other scales from fellow teachers for that part of your day.  To keep interest, with little ones, and because of time, you can also work on just one or two pages a day.

When your pumpkin booklet is completed, read it aloud once more, and have children share their results as you read that page.

Reinforce vocabulary by reviewing the measurement tools and words, and asking students: "What is a scale? What is it used for?"  "What is height? How can you measure it?" etc.  Click on the link to view/download the Pumpkin Investigation booklet. Looking for more Pumpkin Activities? Click on the link to pop on over to that section of my site for lots more FREEBIES!

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away!  If you'd like to see all of the creative educational items I pin, click on the heart button to the right of the blog.  I have a board especially for pumpkin activities.

"The whole art of teaching, is the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds, for the purpose of satisfying them afterwards." -Anatole France