October Journal- Pumpkin Seed Scooping
Thursday #1
I came out of this day with clean hands! Amazing for a day of pumpkin scooping, am I right? With 12 zealous kids there was little room for my own hands in the mix, and that was okay. I enjoy watching eager kids get after it and work together!
The majority of the students before me were students that wanted to come back and continue with the club this fall. Seeing that they hadn’t experienced a full year with the club (we started in January last year), and they were pretty well oriented already with our routines and work ethic, I was happy to have their enthusiasm as the foundation for a new group. Students who are positive influencers to new kids are the best to have around!
With fall here despite our record breaking heat, pumpkins were the perfect startup. I outlined in my head that we’d scoop the seeds and turn them into mum planters this day, roast the seeds the next time we met, then by the third or fourth meetup we’d be starting a compost bin with them. Further, we’d hold back some seeds to plant next year. Perfect lineup!
I could not have been happier with this day. After a discussion of what kind of vegetable a pumpkin is (squash) and having side conversation about some of the massive pumpkins some kids grow for competition. We popped the tops off (pre-cut the day before) and had one or two kids cleaning them out while a third worked on separating the seeds from the pulp (approx 20 min). They were great about taking turns with this.
Finally, the new root bound mums were freed and planted (approx 10 min). Pumpkin cleanup started while the flowers were potted and working outside made mess making no worry at all!
It was an easy time to review last years mini lessons too about why plants even make fruits and vegetables: to make a safe home to grow their seeds!
Lastly, pictures were taken of contented children with their pumpkins and we made it to the dismissal spot on time! Much thanks to a cosponsor and parent as well for helping keep us all on task and get cleaned up!
Interested in a more detailed plan to put this together yourself? Feel free to review and print my detailed notes in the link! The notes could be handy to turn over to a volunteer that is putting this event together for you, or the notes could be a reference for how to divide up getting materials and task done. Hope this helps!
Free Printable Resource! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fall-Pumpkin-Scoop-Activity-Guide-4974022
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