Pumpkin Project Instead of Jack-O-Lantern

Maybe you have seen this on Pinterest or maybe not. So I am sharing it because I think it is a great project to do in the classroom.

This project comes from the blog, Growing in Pre K.
Please click on the picture below to link to their blog.

I think this can be done as a class project or each child can bring a small pumpkin for themselves.

Help each child cut off the lid of the pumpkin.
Do not scoop anything out of the inside. Throw the top away.
Spray the pumpkin with a mixture of oil of clove and water, inside and outside. Wipe the pumpkin down. This will help to stop mold from growing on the pumpkin.

Add a little soil and mix it with the seeds inside with your hand. Make sure some of the seeds are near the surface of the dirt.  Add just enough water to moisten the soil.

Then watch the seeds grow.  (Usually you can see a sprout in 5-7 days.) You probably won't need to water the plants because most of the moisture comes from inside the pumpkin.  Too much water will cause the pumpkin to mold and soften.

If the pumpkin starts to grow a little mold spray the pumpkin with a mixture of oil of clove and water again. Wipe the pumpkin down.

Once the pumpkin plants have sprouted the students can take them home and plant the entire pumpkin in their yard and then continue to watch it grow.

Students can write about their pumpkin project.

I have pumpkin shaped writing paper in my TPT product called Shape Templates. Write, draw, color, cut out, staple together. Please click below for more information.

If you are interested in a variety of additional templates, please click on the picture below to link to my TPT store.

Also, on the Growing in Pre K blog is a link to FREE life cycle pumpkin sequencing cards at the Montessori website. Please click on the picture below to print your copy.

Thank you to Growing in Pre K for sharing a wonderful, fun idea! You rock!
Kathy