DeSoto ISD ‘s Katherine Johnson Elementary kindergarten teachers transformed their classrooms into investigative learning labs for an experiential lesson for their little eager sleuths to explore a popular fall gourd, the pumpkin! Under the guidance of their classroom teachers and with the support of several parent volunteers, the great pumpkin investigation began.
Seated with their own pumpkin, the scholarly sleuths began collecting informational data through their observations of their pumpkins, describing its color, texture, size, shape, and number of ridges. Next, they weighed their individual pumpkins on a scale before measuring their pumpkins using unifix cubes.
In addition to these sleuths learning about the physical properties of the pumpkin, the teachers integrated reading, math, language, arts concepts and experiences during this investigative lesson.
“Specifically, we touched upon all subjects during that one pumpkin investigation! Scholars had the opportunity to count all of the pumpkin seeds in the main pumpkin, create sentences, measure, weigh, make observations, give predictions, and paint by visiting a total of six stations,” explained Sabrina Mayberry, Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy’s lead kindergarten teacher. The book
She was also excited about the ‘secret twist’ to their discovery lesson. “The best part was the hypothesis: Will my pumpkin sink or float?”, shared Ms. Mayberry. “Surprisingly, we had a lot of sinking pumpkins!”
The finale allowed the little sleuths to shift from their investigative hats to their painter's caps to paint their individual pumpkins.
This early childhood experiential learning day, while fun, was also purposeful and aligned with the current learning focus that included identifying and recording observable physical properties of objects, interacting with sources (pumpkins) in meaningful ways, making connections to personal experiences and counting forward with objects (pumpkin seeds).The students also read the book, How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by G. Brian Karas to to support the learning connection..
Ms. Mayberry was also ecstatic to share this academic learning moment with parent volunteers.
“Each kindergarten teacher had at least five amazing parent volunteers. We call that one of the best days ever in kindergarten at Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy. The Pumpkin Investigation was a great success!”
The mission of DeSoto ISD is that students, without exception, learn and grow at their highest levels. This compliments the district’s vision to inspire curiosity and consciousness, develop character, build courage and nurture compassion.
Learn more about this and other DeSoto ISD Academic learning experiences at www.DeSotoISD.org/newsroom.