How Pumpkins Grow

Explicit instruction/Teacher modeling

• Read Pumpkin Pumpkin aloud to your class.
• At the end of the story, review the steps the boy takes to grow a pumpkin.
• Have students identify what components plants need to live.

Guided practice/Interactive modeling

• Explain to the class that they will be growing their own pumpkin plant.
• Model the steps that students will need to follow independently.
• First, using a spoon, take 5 scoops of dirt and place them in a small cup.
• Then, count 3 pumpkin seeds. Have the students count them out with you. Place the seeds in the cup.
• Then, cover the seeds with more dirt.
• Give the plant some water and place it by the window.

Independent working time

• Have the students repeat the steps you just modeled to plant their pumpkin plant.
• Walk around the room to make sure all students are on task.

• Enrichment: Have students help their peers in counting the correct number of pumpkin seeds.
• Support: Have students complete the Halloween Pumpkin coloring sheet instead of the How Do Pumpkins Grow? worksheet.

• To test knowledge of the life cycle of a pumpkin plant, have student's complete the How Do Pumpkins Grow? worksheet.

• Ask students to make predictions as to how long they think it will take their pumpkins to grow.
• Have them show you how big they think the plants will get.