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Notes for Teachers

Context: This lesson takes place inside and outside the classroom within a 60 minute period along with bi-weekly observations outside the classroom over a period of 30-90 days.
Students may work in small groups or whole class.
An emphasis on the target product (data analysis through generating meaningful graphs).
Facilitate discussions analyzing the generated graphs and other visual displays to help draw conclusions.
Creative products should be encouraged.

List of Materials

3 pumpkins of various sizes: large, medium, small
carving utensils
clean up materials, newspaper, butcher paper, gloves
bowls or buckets for pumpkins seeds- at one for each pumpkin
secluded location in yard to decompose pumpkins over winter
camera for pictures of the pumpkins’ changes over a period of time
posters for graphs to be displayed

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Math Standards

3.MD.B.3 Create a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set with several categories. Solve one- and two-step "how many more" and "how many less" problems using information presented in scaled bar graphs.

Standards for Mathematical Practices (MP):

Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Model with mathematics.
Use appropriate tools strategically.
Attend to precision.
Look for and make use of structure.
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Reading Standards:

3.RL.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

3.RL.2 Recount and paraphrase stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in text.

3.RL.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

Science Standards

3.L1U1.5 Develop and use models to explain that plants and animals (including humans) have internal and external structures that serve various functions that aid in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction.

�3.L1U1.6 Plan and carry out investigations to demonstrate ways plants and animals react to stimuli.

3.L2U1.7 Develop and use system models to describe the flow of energy from the Sun to and among living organisms.

Science and Engineering Practices:

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematics and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions
engage in argument from evidence
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

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Objective(s):

Today students will collect, compare and analyze data through multiple graph displays.

Today students will observe the natural process of a plant life cycling through decomposition and regrowth.

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Agenda (90 minutes)

Pre-learning explorations
Literature Connections
Carving, cleaning and counting
Create visual displays of data
Facilitate meaningful conversations bringing analysis to the data
Create community check in guidelines for data collection over time
Situate pumpkins for decomposition and frequent data collection
Continue making observations and adding to visual data displays over time

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

Does the size and weight of a pumpkin effect its seeds inside?

Will the cycle of plant life continue without human guidance?

Can new plants grow from decomposing ones?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Pre-learning predictions- Present three different sized pumpkins to the class. (large, medium, small). These should have a significant difference in size. Weigh each pumpkin and disperse sticky notes for students to make predictions of the number of seeds for each pumpkin. Students should add their sticky notes to a collaborative poster.

Literature Connections Read Aloud Pumpkin Jack. Ask discussion and comprehension questions along the way. Discuss life cycle of plants, specifically pumpkins

Carving, cleaning and counting The actual carving should be done away from children and by a capable adult. Create a cut around the top then open and separate from the body. Students should clean and count the seeds of each pumpkin. Get Messy!�
Create visual displays of data Create class posters of different tables or graphs that display the collected data of the three pumpkins including the weight vs seeds aspect. (Line graph, scatter plot, triple bar graph, comparative pie chart)�
Facilitate Meaningful conversation strategizing comprehension of the data through effective questioning. Which had more? Which had less? Order them. Create clever ways to count and organize them. Are they all the same color? same size? What patterns can you find?�
Create community check in guidelines for data collection over time Discuss and create a schedule of who is making weekly/ bi-weekly observations and what characteristics are to be measured. This schedule should cover a period of time more than a month. Record observation along the way. Here is a sample observation sheet.�
Situate pumpkins A outside location should be chosen that is safe for decomposition as to not be disturbed. Frequent data collection should be fairly easy to collect. Continue making observations and adding to visual data displays over time with pictures and adding to graphs.�
Observe your Zombie Pumpkins grow over time. (This could take a few months).

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Pumpkin Jack

Comprehension Questions:

How did Tim describe how his pumpkin first looked?
What does it mean when there were “brown ghosts in the garden?”
Why did Jack’s fierce smile begin to look silly?
What time of year did Tim find a sprout from his Pumpkin Jack?
What happened with Tim’s pumpkin garden in October?

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ADULTS Carving, Cleaning and Situating our Pumpkin Garden

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Visual Data Displays

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Assessment

SCIENCE: Students can match physical descriptions and pictures to the stages of plant life, name each part of a plant and its basic helping and hindering environmental factors (sun, water, soil).

MATH: Students should appropriately fill in the comparative graphs created, read the generated graphs by analyzing the data within as well as answer questions and draw conclusions from data presented on the visual displays.

ELA: Create a picture story of the pumpkin’s life cycle and compare it to the story Pumpkin Jack. Which parts of your story match up to Pumpkin Jack’s?� Writing: Give your pumpkin a name and write its story. This can be a fun group writing.

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Differentiation

This entire project can be done whole class with the teacher leading.

Pair students who need extra support with a group/student that will help.

Allow extra time during the day for slower working students to complete work.

Add color coding to charts to help "chunk" information.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

1. Examine the mold and decomposition

The carved areas of the pumpkin are quickly susceptible to mold due to increased moisture and a good surface! Mold is actually a fungus but not the kind you want to eat!

Mold spores are very {microscopic} tiny, but when enough grow together, the mold can appear to look blue, black, or green.

2.Turn it into a healthy snack

Make it a fraction lesson by baking pumpkin seeds Students can learn the basics of identifying fractions and measuring. How much of each ingredient will you need? Reading and following recipes is a skill.

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Extension: Dig into Science by examining closer!

Examine the Mold!

Time to pull out disposable gloves, a magnifying glass, and tweezers. and check out the mold.

You can use this

Pumpkin decomposition chart

Helpful questions to think about

Why does mold grow?
Is pumpkin mold harmful?
How do you treat mold on pumpkins?
What does pumpkin mold look like?
How can I prevent pumpkin mold?
Is mold on a pumpkin stem bad?
What environmental factors help mold grow?
What environmental factors reduce mold?

Examine the Decomposition

STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION

The decomposition of a pumpkin can be a fascinating and educational process for kids to observe and learn about biology and environmental science. Here’s a simplified explanation of what happens during the decomposition of a pumpkin:

Initial Stage: When a pumpkin is carved or left out in the open, it begins to decompose. Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, along with enzymes, break down the pumpkin’s organic matter.
Softening: The pumpkin’s skin and flesh begin to soften as these microorganisms and enzymes break down the complex carbohydrates and proteins within the pumpkin. This is often the first visible change kids might notice.
Color Changes: As the pumpkin decomposes, its color may change. It might turn darker or develop mold, which can be different colors like green, white, or black. Kids can observe and document these color changes.
Odor: One of the most noticeable aspects of decomposition is the odor. Decomposing pumpkins release gases that create a distinctive smell, often described as unpleasant. This can be an interesting aspect for kids to explore, although they might want to do it from a distance!
Mold Growth: Mold spores in the environment begin to grow on the pumpkin’s surface as it decomposes. Kids can observe the different types of mold that might appear and how they spread across the pumpkin.
Insects: Insects like flies and ants are attracted to decomposing organic matter. Kids can watch as these insects visit the pumpkin to feed on it and lay eggs. This can provide an opportunity to learn about the role of insects in decomposition.
Soil Enrichment: The pumpkin breaks down further over time, and its nutrients are returned to the soil. This is an important part of the natural decomposition process, and kids can learn about how decomposition contributes to soil enrichment.

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