P is for Pumpkin

 When the children entered the room today they colored half of a paper plate orange.  They then glued a brown stem on it.  At centers today the children colored cards of the pumpkin life cycle.  They then cut them out and placed them in order.  I will have the children repeat the process of sequencing their cards tomorrow with a partner.  The children will then "tell" about the life cycle of a pumpkin using their cards.  Sequencing is an important skill to learn, for the children will have to use it when they retell the events of a story, and write the steps in a process.

At my center the children used scientific inquire to observe gourds.  Once they were done making their observationOur classroom is undergoing some changes this week.  

I took down the fire station and replaced it with the math and science center.  In this center I added jack-o-lanterns with numbers on them and foam seeds.  The children can look at the number on the jack-o-lantern and place the corresponding number of seeds in it.  

The children are also enjoying the pumpkin play doh that I made for them at the writing center.  I have included the recipe for your enjoyment at home!

Pumpkin Play Doh
~ 2 cups of flour
~ 1 cup salt
~ 4 tsp. cream of tartar
~ 1/4 cup cinnamon
~ 2 Tbsp. cloves
~ 2 Tbsp. nutmeg
~ 2 tsp. ginger
~ 2 cups water
~ 2 Tbsp. oil

To Make: 

1. Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and spices together in a mixing bowl.

2. Add the water and oil to the dry ingredients and mix together well.

3. Transfer mixture to a medium sized saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly.

4. The dough will begin to thicken and form. When it becomes difficult to stir and is more solid, remove from heat and carefully knead the dough. {Note: dough will be hot!}

5. When dough has cooled, have fun playing ~ this is great for the holidays!!s they drew a picture of their gourd and painted it.  Lastly, the dictated sentences describing their gourd.