Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Introduce students to the pumpkin life cycle by reading “Pumpkin Jack” and planting their own pumpkin seeds to begin observations.
Storytime engages young learners while hands-on planting builds curiosity about how pumpkins grow; beginning observations fosters scientific thinking and vocabulary.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Storytime Introduction
10 minutes
Step 2
Life Cycle Discussion
5 minutes
Step 3
Seed Planting Activity
10 minutes
Step 4
Observation Chart & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
Activity
Discussion
Game
Slide Deck
Session 1: Introduction to the Pumpkin Life Cycle
Storytime: “Pumpkin Jack”
Pumpkin Life Cycle Stages
Planting Your Pumpkin Seed
Using the Observation Chart
Call-and-Response Wrap-Up
Looking Ahead to Session 2
Lesson Plan
Session 2 Lesson Plan
Guide students to observe their pumpkin sprouts, discuss plant growth needs, express understanding through art, and reinforce sequence with a relay game.
Observing real sprouts deepens scientific inquiry, discussing growth needs builds conceptual understanding, creative art reinforces the life cycle, and a game makes sequencing fun and memorable.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Station Setup
10 minutes
Step 1
Sprout Observation
5 minutes
Step 2
Needs for Growth Discussion
5 minutes
Step 3
Pumpkin Life Cycle Art Activity
10 minutes
Step 4
Life Cycle Relay Game
10 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 2: Observing and Exploring Sprouts
Sprout Observation
Discussion: What Do Plants Need?
Pumpkin Life Cycle Art Activity
Life Cycle Relay Game
Review & Reflect
Looking Ahead to Session 3
Lesson Plan
Session 3 Lesson Plan
Guide students to examine their pumpkin plants’ leaves and vines, learn key plant parts (roots, stem, leaves, flower, pumpkin), label and color these parts, and apply counting skills in a fun Pumpkin Patch Counting Game.
Understanding plant anatomy deepens comprehension of how pumpkins grow, and counting activities reinforce early math skills. Labeling and games engage multiple modalities, build vocabulary, and support diverse learners.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Materials and Station Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Leaf & Vine Observation
5 minutes
Step 2
Plant Parts Discussion
5 minutes
Step 3
Plant Parts Labeling Activity
10 minutes
Step 4
Pumpkin Patch Counting Game
10 minutes
Slide Deck
Session 3: Exploring Leaves, Vines & Plant Parts
Leaf & Vine Observation
Discussion: Parts of a Pumpkin Plant
Plant Parts Labeling Activity
Pumpkin Patch Counting Game
Review & Reflect
Congratulations & Next Steps
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Activity
