Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify and describe basic geometric shapes found in pumpkins.
Materials and Prep
- A pumpkin
- A knife (to be used by an adult)
- A pen or marker
- A ruler
- A piece of paper
Activities
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Start by examining the pumpkin together. Talk about its shape, color, and size.
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Using the pen or marker, draw a line around the pumpkin, about halfway up from the bottom. This will be the "equator" of the pumpkin.
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With the ruler, measure the distance around the pumpkin at the equator. Write down the measurement on the piece of paper.
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Next, measure the height of the pumpkin from the bottom to the stem. Write down this measurement as well.
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Now, let's talk about the different shapes we see on the pumpkin. Ask the student to identify and describe the shapes they see. For example, they could mention the round shape of the pumpkin, the curved lines around the equator, or the triangular shape of the stem.
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Encourage the student to draw the shapes they observed on the pumpkin on the piece of paper. They can use the measurements they took earlier to help them draw the shapes accurately.
Kindergarten Grade Talking Points
- "Pumpkins can come in different shapes, sizes, and colors."
- "We can use a ruler to measure how big or tall something is."
- "The round part of the pumpkin is called its shape."
- "The line we drew around the middle of the pumpkin is called the equator."
- "The pointy part on top of the pumpkin is called the stem, and it looks like a triangle."