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EARLY CHILDHOOD NEWSLETTER

Volume 4, Issue 20
October 10, 2006

THIS ISSUE'S EARLY CHILDHOOD NEWSLETTER THEME:

Pumpkin Power!

WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Newsletter. Every other week, I'll share some ideas on a familiar teaching theme. Hopefully you will find a new activity idea or two -- or a new twist on one of your old favorites! Since I know you are very busy, I'll be short and sweet -- like most of activities I suggest.

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A WORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE'S THEME

This month, pumpkin-themed units will abound. Use our little rhyme as you begin your discussions about the wonders of pumpkins.

First I'm just a small seed, (children hold up thumb and index finger)
Then, a vine with leaves.
Out from orange flowers
I grow -- small and green.

So I keep on growing,
Bigger, bigger, FAT! (children spread arms out)
A round orange pumpkin, (children use index finger to make circle shape in the air)
What do you think of that? (children raise voices)

Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter

MAKE A PUMPKIN WHEEL
Cut two 8-inch circles from orange posterboard. Attach a green stem to one of the pieces. On the "pumpkin" with the stem, cut out a 1-inch square "window" just to left of the center of the pumpkin. Attach the two circles together in the middle with a brass fastener. On the circle that has the window, use a marker to write "all" to the right of the center (opposite the cut-out window). Through the window, write the letter f. Turn the wheel and write the letter t. Keep turning the wheel as you write, one at a time, the letters c, m, b, w, and h. Turn the wheel to quiz students about the word made by the letter that appears in the window to the ending -all. Students will call out the appropriate word: fall, tall, call, and so on.

IT'S PUMPKIN TIME!
Read to children It's Pumpkin Time, by Zoe Hall. Then provide each child with a large pumpkin-shaped booklet consisting of two orange covers and writing paper inside. Let children add their names and self-portraits on the covers of their booklets. Provide children with this sentence frame "I know it's pumpkin time because _____________." Give children time to add to their sentence. Help them with spelling and writing as needed.

LET'S GO PUMPKIN HUNTING
Create a number of small orange paper pumpkins. Hide them in various places around the classroom. Give children verbal clues and invite them to go "pumpkin hunting." Include location words such as "above," "below," and "next to" in your clues.

IT'S MAGIC!
Take your children outdoors and let them toss pumpkin seeds onto the ground. Tell children you believe the seeds are "magic seeds." The next day, before children have arrived, rake up the seeds and place small pumpkins (enough so each child has a pumpkin) in their places. Take children outdoors to see what has happened to the magic seeds. Let each child take one of the small pumpkins home.

MAKE A PUMPKIN PIE
Provide small tart-sized pie crusts -- one for each child. Follow the baking directions or obtain pre-baked crusts. Mix two tablespoons canned pumpkin, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and one tablespoon of marshmallow cream. Pour into the crust and add whipped topping. The pie is ready to eat or can be refrigerated or frozen.

Check out the following Web sites for additional background and activities.