Arizona STEM
Acceleration Project
Pumpkin Jack Session 1 of 2
Pumpkin Jack Part One
A 4th Grade STEM Lesson
Kiera Lombardi
November 2023
Notes for Teachers
List of Materials:
Science Standards:
4.P4U1.1: Develop and use a model to demonstrate how a system transfers energy from one object to another even when the objects are not touching.
4.E1U1.8: Collect, analyze, and interpret data to explain weather and climate patterns.
Science and Engineering Practices
4.RI.2 Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text. .
4.RI.3 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
4.RI.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
4.RI.5 Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, and problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text
4.RI.8 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.
4.RI.9 Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably
4.W.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
4.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly
4.NF.C Understand decimal notation for fractions, and compare decimal fractions.
4.NF.C.5 Express a fraction with denominator 10 as an equivalent fraction with denominator 100, and use this technique to add two fractions with respective denominators 10 (tenths) and 100 (hundredths). For example, express 3/10 as 30/100, and and 3/10 + 4/100 = 34/100. (Note: Students who can generate equivalent fractions can develop strategies for adding fractions with unlike denominators in general. But addition and subtraction with unlike denominators, in general, is not a requirement at this grade.)
4.NF.C.6 Use decimal notation for fractions with denominators 10 (tenths) or 100 (hundredths), and locate these decimals on a number line. 4.NF.C.7 Compare two decimals to hundredths by reasoning about their size. Understand that comparisons are valid only when the two decimals refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <.
4.MD.A Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.
4.MD.A.1 Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units which could include km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit and in a smaller unit in terms of a larger unit. For example, know that 1 ft is 12 times as long as 1 in. Express the length of a 4 ft snake as 48 in. Generate a conversion table for feet and inches listing the number pairs (1,12), 2,24), (3,36).
National Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Common Core English Language Arts (CCSS.ELA)
Common Core Mathematics (CCSS.MATH)
Notes to Teacher
How many pumpkins can you get from one plant?
You can expect about three to five pumpkins from standard-sized pumpkin plants. Smaller pumpkin varieties, like sugar pumpkins, may produce as many as ten pumpkins per plant. To get optimal growth from each plant, keeping your garden free of weeds, adequately watered, and giving your plants enough room to grow is important.
Which pumpkin should I choose?
Depending on which plant you choose, it may take 90 to 120 days to harvest. I recommend you pick the 90 day pumpkin which is the Pepitas Pumpkin.
Where should I plant my pumpkin?
Encourage students to problem solve in finding a place for the plant to thrive. This will be something students will need to come up with creative solutions for.
Agenda (60-90 minute Reading Block)
What do you know about a pumpkin?
Vocabulary
Main Idea and Details
Informational Text Structure
Graphic Organizer-TAMMIO Strategy
Summary
Exit Ticket
Objective(s):
I will identify the structure of a story by analyzing how information is given.
I will identify the main idea and details by using the TAMMIO strategy to summarize.
I can identify the life cycle of a pumpkin plant using information from a text.
What do you know about pumpkins?
What is Main Idea and Details?
Main idea
Central thought or the point the author is making
Summary Contains only the most important details from the text.
Words to know…
What is text structure?
Fill out your own anchor chart to reference.
Why might an author want to write a compare and contrast?
What information would be in a sequential order?
When might we write about cause and effect?
What might we write about to describe something?
When might an author describe something?
What is the structure of From Seed to Pumpkin?
As you listen or read, be sure to take notes about the information given.
Remember Main Idea is one sentence about the whole story.
In the article, Dogs Rule, the author Leah Scott states that dogs are the greatest pet. She explains that they are cute, cuddly, and great helpers. Mainly, Leah Scott explains that dogs can be more than just a pet. Dogs can help the blind, be protectors, provide companionship, and are great for your health.
Partner work: Fill out the graphic organizer.
Summary: work individually
Graphic Organizer
Exit Ticket
What other informational topics might be in sequential order?
Turn in
Your graphic organizer
Differentiation
Give sentence starters for those who need it.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Have students create a categorization of the types of books located in the library. Have them organize the books by structure.
Write from the point of view of a pumpkin plant/diary over time.
Agenda (60 minute Science Block and 90-120 days)
Read: Pumpkin Circle
Go over the life cycle of a pumpkin.
Hands On: Create mini-greenhouse for pumpkin, plant, water
Observe, measure, analyze over time.
Once harvested, move on to Pumpkin Jack 2
A Pumpkin
A pumpkin plant produces a fruit (the pumpkin). The plant needs energy from the sun to create food.
What is?
Photosynthesis:
Parts of the plant:
Uses for the pumpkin:
Create a flow map showing the life cycle of a pumpkin plant.
As you listen or read, think about…
What structure this text is
The main idea and details of the text
Be sure to take notes about the information given.
Hands-On Activity Instructions
In a group of 2-4, create a mini greenhouse.
Once the pumpkin has sprouted, transplant the plant into the ground.
Constraints:
What Now?
Math
Qualitative Data: adjectives,
Quantitative Data: numbers
How tall? How much did the seed grow over time?
Table and Graph your data
Measure in fractions and decimals.
ELA
Write in a small diary/journal: write from the perspective of your pumpkin plant over time. How is it feeling? What is it experiencing?
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data
What you notice or observe:
color
adjectives/descriptive words
Numbers:
measurement
height
length
width
mean
median
mode
Fraction vs. Decimal
Fraction
A fraction is a piece of a whole.
This plant is 3/2 of a millimeter.
Decimal
A decimal is a part of a whole showing tenths or hundredths.
This plant is 1.50 millimeters long.
Science Assessment
ELA Assessment
Point of View: students are able to show the POV of their seed.
Differentiation
Group students based on a variety of strengths and areas of support.
Allow all students to experience leadership, sharing ideas, and making decisions.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
If you have additional seeds, have students create an experiment on what seeds need to germinate.
What do seeds need to germinate?
Give ideas: water but no sunlight, juice and sunlight, compare to water and sunlight. Record observations.
Teach a lesson on median, mean, and mode. Have students compare growth over time.
Agenda (5 days, 60 minutes per Writing Block)
Monday- student recall, complete a double bubble map, start Flee Map
Tuesday-organize writing in a Flee Map
Wednesday-write rough draft
Thursday- self edit, peer edit, teacher edit
Friday-Typed Final
Writing Objective
I can integrate content from two texts to report on the topic on the life cycle of a pumpkin.
Monday: I can recall information from a text.
What do you remember from From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer ?
What do you remember from Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson?
Monday: I can recall information from an experience.
What happened to your pumpkin seed?
Write down information you learned.
Partner share
Share out
Monday: Create a map to place your information.
Tuesday: I can integrate information from a text into my flee map.
Wednesday: I can write a rough draft from my plan
Write out your rough draft from your plan!
Thursday: I can self edit, peer edit, and teacher edit.
Self Edit: read your writing out loud to a Flip (or similar platform), and make changes as needed.
Peer Edit: read the writing out loud and make suggestions.
Teacher Edit: schedule a time with the teacher to perform a final look.
Friday: I can type my final copy.
Once complete with the editing process, type and turn in your final.
Differentiation
Provide sentence starters and/or frames for students in need.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Ask students to identify how a text is different if they chose a different structure.
Students can create a comic strip, sequencing the life cycle of their pumpkin.
Have students use text features to create a report.
Templates: