Pumpkin Math Centers in Primary School
Halloween Centers for Kindergarten, First or Second Grade Students
Sep 27, 2009
Kids and adults love the excitement of Halloween. However, with increasing academic standards for children, it is difficult for teachers to trade learning time for Halloween celebrations. Pumpkin math is a good way to incorporate math and science standards, while keeping students engaged and excited about learning.
In order to participate in Pumpkin Math, students are divided into five groups, each participating in a different center. It takes approximately one hour for each student to complete all five activities with teacher direction as to when it is appropriate to switch activities.
Pumpkin Number Recognition Memory
Preparation: Teacher should cut orange cardstock into 20 squares. Divide cards into groups of two. On one card write a numeral such as 3, on the matching card stick the corresponding number of stickers, such as 3. Repeat with numbers 1-10 or 11-20, depending on what will be most helpful to your students.
Directions:
- Spread cards out on the table, face down.
- Choose a child to go first. That child turns over two cards and names the number on each card. If the cards match, they keep it, if not they turn them back over.
- The next child takes a turn, repeat step
- Continue to allow children to turn over two cards until the cards run out. The child with the most matches at the end is the winner.
Pumpkin Height and Circumference
Preparation: Children will need different sized pumpkins, long pieces of yarn and several unifix cubes.
Directions:
- Ask each student to measure the height of his or her pumpkin using cubes. Teacher can demonstrate first if necessary.
- Next, the child should count the number of cubes and record the number (using a number line if necessary).
- Next, have each child cut a piece of yarn that he or she thinks will fit around his or her pumpkin.
- Then, have the child measure the distance around the pumpkin and decide if their string is too short, too long or just right. Then, have student tape their string to a recording sheet.
Pumpkin Float or Sink
Preparation: Children will need different sized pumpkins and one large tub filled with water.
Directions:
- Lead students in a brief discussion about what it means to float or sink and whether they think their own pumpkin will float or sink.
- Ask students to record if they think their own pumpkin will float or sink and then draw a picture of what they think will happen.
- Next, students place pumpkin in water one at a time to see if each pumpkin will float or sink.
- Once they have tested, they should draw the results. Encourage children to make observations such as, which way did the stem go?
Pumpkin Weight
Preparation: Teacher should find at least one balance scale and a set of pattern blocks.
Directions:
- Demonstrate how to use the balance scale. Show students what happens when the scale does not balance, what happen when it does etc.
- Put one of the pumpkins on the balance and ask students to estimate how many pattern blocks they would need to balance the scale.
- Have students take turns adding one pattern block at a time until they know how many pattern blocks balance the scale. The student whose pumpkin was measured records how many pattern blocks are the same weight as his or her pumpkin.
- Repeat with each child’s pumpkin until all of the children have recorded the weight of their pumpkins.
Pumpkin Pattern Crowns
Preparation: Students will need long, paper sentence strips and Halloween foam stickers.
Directions:
- Ask students to place a sentence strip on the table in front of them and begin to create a pattern out of Halloween foam stickers.
- Have an adult create the child’s pattern and then allow child to stick their stickers on the pattern crown.
- When the student has finished, an adult can staple the crown around the child’s head to make a Halloween Crown.
Pumpkin math is a fun way to integrate important mathematics standards with the children's natural excitement for Halloween and fall activities. For some additional activities suitable to older children, try this Pumpkin Math article as well.
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