1-2-3 Come Do Some Pumpkin Activities With Me
Make learning how to count and identify numbers, super-fun with pumpkins; which are not only perfect for October, but can still be used throughout November too.
I find that if I have an interesting theme for things that I’m trying to teach my students, they get excited and are happily engaged and on task.
With that in mind, I designed a variety of pumpkin number activities, which will help your students practice counting, number recognition, sequencing, subitizing, sorting, patterning, and one-to-one correspondence.
The packet includes:
* Eleven sets of different pumpkin cards. There's a sample of each set in the photograph.
You can use them for all sorts of activities, including a variety of games like "Memory Match", "I Have; Who Has?", "Kaboom", "Speed" and "Flip It".
I've included a 4-page tip list, filled with interesting and fun ideas of how to use the cards, including directions for a variety of games.
There are also covers for some of the sets, so that your kiddos can make (just the right size) "Itty Bitty" booklets.
Because of the nice selection of cards, students will also njoy sorting them into "Pumpkin Piles".
For example, children put all the pumpkin cards that represent the number one in a pile; all those that show the number 2 in another pumpkin pile and so on.
To strengthen upper body muscles, have children lie on their tummies and sequence the numbers in long lines. A group of my Y5s enjoyed making a "pumpkin snake" all the way out the door!
I also made a specific set of pumpkin cards to be puzzles. These make a wonderful math center.
There are 5, strip puzzles on a one-page pattern, which makes them "just the right size" for little learners.
Simply snip on the line to cut the number from the matching group of pumpkins. Each line is different, so there's only one way for students to complete the puzzle, which will give them the correct answer.
Another fun way to practice with the cards, is to make Jack. This cute pumpkin pattern is printed on card stock, then laminated.
Cut out the jack-o-lantern's "mouth" and place over the opening of an empty Kleenex box. (There are lots of fall-patterns available. A Boutique box also works).
Pass the pumpkin cards out to your students, then call for the number one pumpkin.
The child holding that card comes up, shows the number to their classmates; everyone says "One", then she "feeds" Jack by dropping the card into his "mouth".
Another fun, whole group game is done with pumpkin seeds. I use a package of real pumpkin seeds, which you can buy in most food stores. You can also save the seeds when you carve your pumpkin.
Make a class set of pumpkin "mats" that you can use each year, or run off the worksheet.
My kiddos sit at tables, so I spill a cup of seeds on a paper plate. They each count 10 seeds and put them in their Dixie cup.
When everyone is set, choose a pumpkin number card; show it to your class; they count out that many seeds and place them on their pumpkin mat.
You can see at a glance who is having difficulty. My kiddos LOVE this activity.
Added bonus: pinching & placing pumpkin seeds, is a great fine motor skill that will help strengthen finger muscles.
I've also including one-to-one correspondence mats that you can use for an independent math center.
If you don't have access to pumpkin seeds, simply print, laminate and trim the page of realistic-looking seeds that I've included in the packet.
There are also a nice variety of interesting worksheets as well as "print and go" game sheets, like "I Spy" or "Pumpkins on a Roll" which is played with dice.
Use them for individual and whole group activities, assessing, and math centers; homework, early finishers and help for those who are struggling.
Nice for a substitute, and fun for a harvest celebration or Halloween party day.
Do you know the song "Ten Little Indians?" This popular rhyme is a super-fun way to help students learn to count forwards as well as backwards.
I substituted pumpkins for Indians, and included a poster poem "10 Little Pumpkins in a Pumpkin Patch" in the packet.
Stick Velcro or magnet dots to the back of the 10 pumpkin cards, and use them as manipulatives, to attach to a flannel board or white board.
I make an extra set of the "puzzle" cards, and instead of cutting them apart, I use the whole strip in my pocket chart.
The song poster and set of 10 pumpkin cards from the packet, are today's featured FREEBIE. Click the link to download your copy today.
While the concentration in this packet is on numbers 0-10, there are several activities which also include numbers 11-20, so that you can diversify your lessons and add a challenge.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. Time for a nature walk and much-needed break.
The fall colors are beautiful here in Michigan.
"October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter." - Nova S. Blair
1-2-3 Come Play A Pumpkin Dice Game With Me
Since my Apple Puzzle Games have been so popular, I decided to create a pumpkin-themed one too.
The pumpkin puzzles are a quick, easy and super-fun activity that you can play as an independent center, or as a whole group where children play individually or with a partner.
The games will reinforce numbers 1-6 for PK kiddos, while older students can use the 1-12 number puzzle to practice addition.
There are several ways to play.
To reinforce the fact that pumpkins are not only orange but can be red, yellow, green whitish tan & even blue, I have my students color with those six crayons.
So that each students’ work is different, children decide which numbers are what colors.
Because of the variety, completed projects make a sweet bulletin board.
I've included photographs of real colorful pumpkins, along with a poster to scatter among your students' work.
I've also included larger, full-page pumpkins so you can create independent Center Games as well.
Simply print, laminate & trim. I keep each puzzle in a ZipLock Baggie.
For this center, students roll the dice and place the matching numbered piece on the pumpkin base.
There are a set of 3 puzzles for numbers 1-6, and another three with pieces 1-12.
I made multi-colored puzzles (see photo), but you can make yours all one color or whatever...
Challenge older students to put the puzzles together without the help of a base.
If they become stumped, they can refer to the "pumpkin challenge" chart for assistance.
Another Idea:
The packet also has a “header” card if you’d like to make these as an inexpensive gift for a fall or Halloween treat bag.
The headers come in color as well as black & white.
It’s a super-simple, party day activity that children can do independently, which allows you to be freed up. Woo hoo for an easy-peasy "sanity saver"!
Students are happily engaged putting their own personal puzzle together.
When they’re done, they pick a friend to play the dice game with; using the base that they built their puzzle on, which they’ll now color for the “Roll & Color” dice game.
You can have these pre-cut by a parent helper, or to make the activity last longer, have children cut out their own pieces, getting in some scissor practice which will help strengthen finger muscles.
There’s also a 4-on-a-page blank pumpkin puzzle so that you can program however you want.
Today's featured FREEBIE is a selection of fall-themed worksheets that help students practice graphing, at the same time reviewing 2D shapes.
I've included black & white patterns for children, as well as colorful answer keys.
My students really love graphing, so I hope yours will too.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
It's going to be another hot one today in the 90s (!) unheard of for Michigan at the end of September, but it beats snow.
Time to go water my wilting flowers. Wishing you a fun-filled day.
"By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn." -Latin Proverb
1-2-3 Come Do Some Pumpkin-Themed 2D Shape Activities With Me
Since pumpkins are carved with all sorts of shapely features, I thought it would be fun to make some "pumpkin eye" activities to practice 2D shapes. Today's blog features my "just finished" packet, along with today's featured FREEBIE.
The packet includes:
* 2 sets of picture cards featuring pumpkins with the various shaped eyes: circle, oval, rectangle, square, triangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, heart and star.
These can be used as flashcards or for Memory Match, or "I Have; Who Has?" games.
* There’s also an emergent reader craftivity: “Pumpkin Eyes", with 3 options:
* One option features pages with simple sentences using words from the Dolch lists, especially pronouns: “My pumpkin has rectangle eyes.” There is space underneath for students to draw that shape.
* Option 2 includes the sentences as well as the shapes. The 3rd option, for little ones, doesn’t have sentences, just the picture shapes for them to color.
Students cut the pages and staple the "Pumpkin Eyes" booklet to the eye-section of their pumpkin.
* I’ve also included a whole group chant written on a poster. Read and point to the words on it:
“Oh my! We’re wise. We spy a pumpkin with ____________ eyes!”
When you get to the blank, place a shape word card on the poster.
To start the game, pass the various shaped eye cards out to your students. The child holding the called-for shape, puts that eye-card on the pumpkin poster.
Continue the chant ’til you have used all of the shape word cards.
My Y5s absolutely LOVE practicing shapes this way.
* Make an extra set to be used as an independent center. Children place the shape word above the pumpkin, then put the matching eyes on. To make this self-checking, draw the shape on the back of the word card.
* This activity can also be used as a fun tool for individually assessing 2D shapes.
* Afterwards, graph which pumpkin eyes everyone liked the best using the “Graphing Time” poster.
* Another fun way to whole-group assess 2D shapes, is by making a “Pumpkin Eyes” slider craft.
There are 2 pumpkin patterns to choose from, as well as two slider strip options featuring the various 2D shapes.
* I’ve also included 2 pumpkin patterns where students draw a shapely face, which makes for a sweet bulletin board.
Place the “Welcome to our patch” poster in the center of your display. This poster is today's FREEBIE. Click on the link to grab your copy.
* Finally, a great “go along” story to read with these activities is Denise Fleming’s “Pumpkin Eye”.
The story is about all of the things the pumpkin’s eyes see on Halloween, so I’ve included a class-made book activity as well.
Class books are wonderful to share at Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Each child completes the prompt: “My pumpkin’s eyes are ___________. (shape) He sees ____________________.
Students draw those shaped eyes on the pumpkin, then illustrate their page of what their pumpkin saw. Collect the pages, collate, then add the cover.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for popping in.
It's time to put my "Nana hat" on, as I'm watching two of my favorite little "punkins" today. Wishing you giggles galore and lots of warm snuggly hugs.
"There's nothing quite like a grandchild to put a smile on your face, a lump in your throat, and a warm, loving feeling in your heart." -Unknown
1-2-3 Come Do Some Pumpkin Shape Activities With Me
Do you read the story “Spookley The Square Pumpkin”, by Joe Troiano? This cute book has a message of tolerance, acceptance and being kind, which is so important in today’s diversified classrooms.
It’s also a great read if your class follows a “bucket filling” program. I use it to practice 2D shapes as well.
With these things in mind, I designed this “shapely pumpkin packet” which includes an emergent reader booklet featuring words from the Dolch lists, with a full page option teacher's can share, as well as a 2-on-a-page pattern for your students.
Students read, trace, write and color, as well as draw the 2D shapes: circle, oval, rectangle, square, triangle, & hexagon. They also underline the capital letters and include the end punctuation.
There’s also a quick, easy and super-fun "shapely pumpkin" craftivity.
If your school's not into Halloween, but a harvest theme, students pick a shape and make a plain, pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.
Older students can write the name of the shape on the front of their pumpkin and a list of attributes on the back.
My school celebrates Halloween, so we opt for a Jack-O-Lantern "shapely pumpkin".
I've included the blank patterns mentioned above, where students can draw on their own face, plus there's a set with facial features on each pumpkin shape that match the shape of their pumpkin. (Check out the photographs.)
Besides the standard shapes listed above, I’ve also included patterns to make a pentagon, octagon, trapezoid, rhombus, heart and star pumpkin too.
For some extra 3D pizzazz, have students strengthen those finger muscles by wrapping a green pipe cleaner around a pencil to create a vine, which they attach to the top of the back of their pumpkin using a piece of tape.
Completed projects make an adorable, pumpkin patch bulletin board. Use the 3 posters for the center of your display, and the "pumpkin patch" sign for the side.
Afterwards, use the graphing extension to see which pumpkin shape was your students' favorite.
For further reinforcement, there’s a set of colorful pumpkin cards, which feature all of the 12, 2D shapes listed.
Use as a center for an independent sorting activity. You can also make an extra set; cut the cards in half to make puzzles.
The matching pocket chart cards could also be cut in half. (These cards are on the cover photo.)
There are shape word cards for a Memory Match game as well. Children can match picture to word, or picture to picture.
You can use these for an “I Have; Who Has?” game too. “I have the circle shaped pumpkin card. Who has the circle word card?”
The packet also includes several writing prompts based on "Spookley", as well as 2 Venn diagrams, plus several bookmarks.
Because "Spookley The Square Pumpkin" is a rhyming story, I've also included a “Rhyme Time” activity, where students think of words that rhyme with square.
You can do this independently using the worksheet, or list them together as a whole group. As always, I've made an answer key with an alphabetical list of 81 words!
Today's featured FREEBIE, is also a rhyme. Since I don't have time anymore to do a specific unit on nursery rhymes, I try to include matching themed ones with whatever we're currently studying.
Thus "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" is perfect for October. Click on the link for a sweet, keepsake craftivity, along with a poster poem of the rhyme.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for popping in.
The trees have just started to turn beautiful orange, yellows and red, so it's time for a nice long walk with Chloe. Wishing you a relaxing day.
"Autumn leaves come falling down; red, orange, yellow and brown." -Unknown
1-2-3 Come Do Some Pumpkin Math With Me
I'm really enjoying fall. Love the wonderful weather, and the leaves are just starting to turn here in Michigan.
I've had a few requests for some simple pumpkin games that teachers can use as an independent center. Several visitors have also asked for some pumpkin-themed number word activities.
With that in mind, I just finished the cute Pumpkin Fun Number Packet. It's 22 pages, and includes a seed counting game, where students match the stem with a number on it, to the pumpkin with the number word on it.
From there, students count to find the matching "pumpkin guts". These are circles with pumpkin seeds on them from 1-20.
To make the game self-checking, write the number on the back of the seed circles and pumpkins.
If you want, run off copies, so that students can make their own Counting Pumpkin Seeds booklet. They glue the stem to the pumpkin and then staple the edge of the seed circle so that it flips up.
I've included a cover for them to staple to the front. This would involve quite a bit of cutting, so you may want students working on this for several days, or simply have them do numbers 0-10. This is a nice fit for Daily 5 word work.
For more practice matching numbers to their number word, I've included 2 trace and write worksheets. These are great for early finishers, your sub folder or homework.
A slice of pumpkin, is another worksheet, where students trace and write the number and dot that many seeds in the appropriate section. When they are done, they color the picture.
There's also a "Show Me The Number" activity. These can be done as a separate table top worksheet for your math block, or run off and staple into a booklet and have students work on a new number each day.
Before you work on any of these activities, I suggest reviewing numbers and number words.
I've included a set of pocket chart cards and a poster to help you. Students can refer to them as they work independently.
Click on the link to view/download the Pumpkin Number Fun packet.
For another pumpkin-themed number word game click on the link.
This one helps strengthen finger muscles, as students use clothespins to make matches.
Seven Pumpkin Games is another FREEBIE that reinforces numbers.
As a teacher, I incorporate games because my students really enjoy them, and I can cover a variety of math concepts, while helping them improve their "life skills" at the same time.
If you want to work on higher numbers, click on the Pumpkin Math packet to practice numbers 1-120.
You can cover quite a few Common Core State Standards with this "Let's Count Pumpkins" packet, which includes an easy reader where students read, trace and write the numbers, plus circle them in a sequence.
To cover more standards, children circle capital letters, add end punctuation to the simple sentences, plus count the pumpkins in the group/set and color the puffy numbers as well.
The packet also includes trace and write worksheets for counting from 0 to 120, plus skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's.
Click on the link for a larger set of pumpkin number cards, that you can use in a variety of ways: pocket chart cards, a number line, games such as "I Have; Who Has?" and Memory Match; plus students can practice making up equations, and showing greater than or less than.
Finally, if you use 10 frames with your kiddos, I've made a pumpkin-themed 10 frames set.
That's it for today. Thanks for visiting.
I'm off to the dungeon (also known as my basement) to haul up some autumn decorations. Wishing you a fabulous fall.
"It might be hard at times, but hard is not impossible." -Unknown
1-2-3 Come Play Some Pumpkin Games With Me!
Games are a wonderful way for students to practice important life skills. They are also a quick & easy way to grab and hold children's interest, while they review and reinforce a variety of standards. One of my little ones summed it up: "We didn't even know we was learnin' cuz we was havin' so much fun!"
Because subitizing (being able to "know" how many there are, without counting) is extremely important; playing with dominoes and dice, are a great way to help students recognize these groupings at a glance. Before too long, I could flash 6 dots (in the pattern on a dice/domino) and my students would call out the number 6, without having to stop and count the dots.
Keeping this in mind, I designed 6 pumpkin-themed dice games + a listening and following direction activity, that will help review ordinal numbers. They are all in one Pumpkin Games packet. To view/download it, click on the link. Because the rules are pretty much the same, students feel empowered, as they know what to do, and can get down to business, and you aren't using up valuable minutes explaining things for the umpteenth time.
Because the apple basket counting game, was a popular download, I decided to revisit that concept using pumpkins. Print off the farmer's wagon on brown construction paper, laminate and trim. Do the same thing with the pumpkin tile master. Have each child take 20 pumpkin tiles, (or to expedite things, have 20 pre-counted and put in Snack Baggies. After children have played the game, to make sure that they have 20 pumpkins, have students count them one at a time into their bag.) This is great counting practice for little ones, and also ensures that you don't have incomplete games, because pumpkins fell on the floor.
Children choose a partner and share the wagon. The object of the game is to get all of your pumpkins into the wagon, by taking turns rolling the dice. Whatever number a child rolls, is how many pumpkins they pick up from their pile and place in the wagon. You can make the game more difficult, by having students roll an exact number towards the end of the game. i.e. if they have only 1 pumpkin left, they need to roll a one.
In the game "Roll and Color," children roll a dice. Whatever number they roll, is the matching numbered section on their pumpkin, that they color. The first child with a completly colored-in pumpkin is the winner.
"Roll and Draw" works with the same rules, only children draw a shape on their pumpkin to make a Jack-O-Lantern. This is a great opportunity to review a square, triangle, circle and rectangle, and possibly introduce the crescent shape as well.
Because 5 Little Pumpkins Sitting On a Gate, is such a popular rhyme/story in October, I thought it would be fun to follow it up with a game. To conserve paper, you can print, laminate and trim the gates. If copying is not an issue for your school, it's nice if each child can have their own "gate" so they can continue to practice at home.
Run off the pumpkin master. Students color and cut out their pumpkins and place them on the gate. When you are explaining the game, you have a great opportunity to review ordinal numbers as well. Children take turns rolling a dice with their partner. Whatever number they roll, they take the matching numbered pumpkin off the gate and have it go "rolling into the night..." The first child who gets all of their pumpkins off the gate is the winner.
Pumpkins in a Row on a Roll is similar. Children color the numbered pumpkin that matches the number that they roll. I also made an ordinal number activity with this same template. This is wonderful practice for listening and following directions too, as the teacher reads what (s)he wants students to do.
Finally, children trace the numbers and color their pumpkins as they take turns rolling the dice in Pumpkins On A Roll . Simply run off the template, trim and give each student a strip of pumpkins. Click on the link to view/download the Pumpkin Games packet.
Thanks for visiting today. I blog daily, so I hope you can pop back tomorrow for the latest FREEBIES hot off the press. Feel free to PIN anything from my site. I think sharing is so important, and truly appreciate everyone's creative abilities, that help us roll with it" rather than spend time, we don't have, reinventing the wheel. To ensure that "pinners" return to THIS blog article, click on the green title at the top; it will turn black, now click on the "Pin it" button, located on the menu. If you'd like to take a peek at my awesome educational boards, click on the heart to the right of the blog.
"A college degree and a teaching certificate, may define a person as a teacher, but it takes hard word and dedication to truly be one." -Evan Esar
1-2-3 Play An Alphabet Matching Game With Me!
The Dollar Store is one of my favorite stores. My mantra when I go in one is: "What can I do with this, that will help my students learn?" so when I saw that they carried clip-on clothespins, I designed all sorts of games that students could "clip and match." I did this for colors, numbers, upper and lowercase letters, shapes, and even glued my kiddos' photo on the front and back, so they could clip it to a yes or no answer for Question of the Day.
I used another photo clip for attendance. This clothespin could also be used on your behavior board. i.e. Children all start out on the green apple for "good" behavior, and move to a yellow apple when they've been warned, and finally to a red apple if there's a consequence.
Because my little ones needed help recognizing and writing their names, I wrote them on clothespins for them to "find". These were kept in a bucket and were sometimes used when I graphed something. Children could also pick a clothespin out of the bucket and have that child be their partner.
My clothespin craftiness started 13 years ago. Creative minds must think alike, because I've seen clothespin activities all over Pinterest, with similar ideas. One gal used yellow alphabet clothespins as "rays" that were clipped around a sun. This gave me the idea to make several themed alphabet clothespin games.
I started with an apple and then made a pumpkin. I'll fool around with a turkey and its feathers for November. Hopefully by then, all of your students will be able to identify upper and lowercase letters.
Here are some tips to help you make the apple/pumpkin alphabet games. Directions for the pumpkin are similar and included in the packet.
If you are making multiple games, so that more students can play, make a template for the leaves and stem. Print, cut and trace onto an old file folder to make a pattern that’s easier to trace. Using the template, trace the leaf once on green construction paper and then cut several at a time. Do the same for the stem, only on brown construction paper. Glue to the back of your apples then laminate. Children will clip the Aa clothespins on the stem, and the Z or B clothespin on the leaf, depending on where you glue the leaves. Run off the apples on red, yellow and lime green construction paper.
I suggest you clip all of the clothespins onto the apples BEFORE you write the letters on. Since little ones are just learning about letters, it’s less confusing for them, if you print on the clothespins, so that a letter doesn’t appear upside down. i.e. I printed letters E, F, G, H, I, J, sideways with the “pinch” end of the clothespin going to the right, and letters Q, R, S, T, U , V and W sideways; with the “pinch” side going to the left. Letters A, B, C, D, Z, Y, X with the “pinch” side up,; and L, M, N, O, P with the “pinch” side down.
Another help for younger children, and allows for quick sorting, is to print the uppercase letters in red permanent marker, and the lowercase letters on the flip side, in black. Bag up this particular set of clothespins and mark them Apple Clothespins.
Children can also play with a partner, dividing the clothespins so that each child gets 13 to clip. Teacher chooses the partners, so that a stronger student can help a child who’s struggling. There's an apple and pumpkin alphabet anchor chart, so that children can self-check their work when they have completed clipping their clothespins.
Make a few extra games to send home with children who need more one-on-one help. Inform parents via a note (There's one included in the pack) that they may BORROW the game for one week and need to return it on a specific day. Jot yourself a note as to who has the game. I've also included a reminder note to send home, in case a child fails to return the game on time.
Click on the link to view/download the Apple Alphabet Clothespin Game and/or the Pumpkin Alphabet Clothespin Game.
Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN anything from my site. To ensure that "pinners" return to THIS blog article, click on the green title at the top; it will turn black, now click on the "Pin it" button on the menu bar. If you'd like to see all of the wonderful-educational ideas that I pin, click on the heart to the right of the blog.
"I was asked to memorize what I did not understand; and, my memory being so good, refused to be insulted in that manner." -Aleister Crowley