Lesson Plan
From Seed to Spooky! Lesson Plan
Students will be able to identify and sequence the stages of a pumpkin's life cycle, recognize related vocabulary, practice early math and literacy skills, and engage in sensory exploration.
Understanding life cycles helps young children grasp how living things grow and change, fostering curiosity about the natural world. This lesson connects to their experiences with fall and Halloween, making learning relevant and exciting.
Audience
Pre-K
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Hands-on centers, story time, and guided activities.
Materials
Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck, Pumpkin Life Cycle Script, Life Cycle Sequence Cards, Pumpkin Counting Cards 1-10, Letter P Tracing Worksheet, Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bin, Spooky Pumpkin Story Book, Pumpkin Puppet, Vocabulary Word Cards, Real Pumpkin (or large pumpkin picture), Art supplies (crayons, markers, glue, construction paper), and Small whiteboards or paper for letter practice
Prep
Teacher Preparation
30 minutes
- Review the Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck and Pumpkin Life Cycle Script.
- Print and cut out the Life Cycle Sequence Cards, Pumpkin Counting Cards 1-10, and Vocabulary Word Cards. Laminate for durability if desired.
- Prepare the Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bin with dried corn, small plastic pumpkins, scoops, and leaves.
- Gather a real pumpkin (or a large pumpkin picture) and the Spooky Pumpkin Story Book and a pumpkin puppet.
- Set up learning centers: Sensory Bin, Math Center, Letter Center, and Science/Vocabulary Center.
- Have art supplies ready for the craft activity.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Greet students and ask them what they know about pumpkins. Show a real pumpkin. Where do pumpkins come from? How do they grow?
- Introduce the theme: 'From Seed to Spooky!' We're going to learn all about how a pumpkin grows, from a tiny seed to a big, round pumpkin ready for Halloween!
- Use the first few slides of the Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck to introduce the topic.
Step 2
Pumpkin Life Cycle Story Time (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Read the Spooky Pumpkin Story Book using the Pumpkin Puppet. Engage students by asking questions about the story and the pumpkin's journey.
- After the story, briefly review the stages of the life cycle mentioned in the story.
Step 3
Science & Vocabulary Introduction (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Use the Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck to explicitly teach the stages of the pumpkin life cycle: seed, sprout, vine, flower, green pumpkin, orange pumpkin.
- Introduce Vocabulary Word Cards (seed, sprout, vine, flower, pumpkin, carve) and discuss each word.
- Use the Life Cycle Sequence Cards to model putting the stages in order on a magnetic board or chart.
Step 4
Center Rotations (40 minutes - 4 centers, 10 minutes each)
40 minutes
- Divide students into four small groups and assign each group to a starting center. Explain the tasks for each center clearly before rotations begin.
- Center 1: Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bin (Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bin)
- Students explore the bin, scooping, pouring, and finding hidden plastic pumpkins or leaves. Encourage them to describe what they feel and see.
- Center 2: Math - Pumpkin Counting (Pumpkin Counting Cards 1-10)
- Students use Pumpkin Counting Cards 1-10 to count pumpkin cutouts or small erasers, matching the quantity to the numeral.
- Center 3: Letters - P is for Pumpkin (Letter P Tracing Worksheet)
- Students practice tracing uppercase and lowercase 'P' on the Letter P Tracing Worksheet or small whiteboards. They can also draw things that start with 'P'.
- Center 4: Science/Vocabulary - Sequence & Match (Life Cycle Sequence Cards & Vocabulary Word Cards)
- Students work together to sequence the Life Cycle Sequence Cards of the pumpkin. They can also match Vocabulary Word Cards to corresponding pictures or discuss what each word means.
Step 5
Pumpkin Craft & Review (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Gather students back together. Provide construction paper, glue, and pre-cut pumpkin shapes/parts (or have students tear paper for a collage).
- Have students create a simple pumpkin craft. As they work, ask them to name one thing they learned about pumpkins or one stage of the life cycle.
- Review the pumpkin life cycle one last time, perhaps singing a simple song or using the Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck again.
Slide Deck
Pumpkin Power!
What do you know about pumpkins?
Where do they come from?
What do we do with them?
Greet students and ask what they know about pumpkins. Show a real pumpkin. Encourage sharing ideas and observations.
From Seed to Spooky!
The Amazing Journey of a Pumpkin!
Introduce the exciting title for the lesson: 'From Seed to Spooky!' Explain that today we will learn all about how pumpkins grow.
Stage 1: The Tiny Seed
Every pumpkin starts as a small, flat seed!
We plant it in the warm soil.
Introduce the first stage: the tiny seed. Ask students what they think happens after you plant a seed.
Stage 2: The Green Sprout
With water and sunshine, the seed wakes up and grows a little sprout!
It pushes out of the ground.
Explain that the seed needs water and sunshine to grow into a sprout. Show them a picture of a sprout.
Stage 3: The Winding Vine
The sprout grows bigger and bigger into a long, winding vine.
It loves to spread out across the ground!
Describe how the sprout gets bigger and turns into a long vine. Mention how the vine spreads out.
Stage 4: Pretty Pumpkin Flower
Soon, bright yellow flowers grow on the vine.
These flowers are very important!
Talk about the beautiful yellow flowers that appear on the vine. Ask if they've ever seen a pumpkin flower.
Stage 5: Little Green Pumpkin
After the flower, a tiny green pumpkin starts to grow.
It needs more time to get big and orange!
Explain that after the flower, a tiny green pumpkin starts to grow. It's not orange yet!
Stage 6: Big Orange Pumpkin!
The little green pumpkin grows and grows.
It changes color to bright orange, just in time for fall and Halloween!
Finally, the green pumpkin turns orange and gets big and round. This is the pumpkin we see at Halloween!
The Pumpkin Life Cycle
Seed -> Sprout -> Vine -> Flower -> Green Pumpkin -> Orange Pumpkin
Review the full life cycle with the students. Encourage them to name each stage.
What Can We Do With Pumpkins?
Carve them into jack-o
-lanterns!
Bake yummy pumpkin treats!
Decorate our homes!
Engage students in what they can do with pumpkins. Connect it to their experiences.
Pumpkin Power!
From a tiny seed to a big, spooky pumpkin!
Great job learning today!
Thank students for learning about pumpkins and remind them of the amazing journey.
Script
Pumpkin Life Cycle Script
Introduction & Warm-Up (10 minutes)
(Teacher): "Good morning, everyone! Look what I brought today! (Hold up a real pumpkin or a large picture). What is this?"
(Teacher): "That's right, it's a pumpkin! What do you know about pumpkins? Where do they come from? How do they grow?"
(Teacher): "Great ideas! Today, we're going on an amazing adventure. Our lesson is called From Seed to Spooky! We're going to learn all about how a pumpkin grows, from a tiny seed to the big, round, orange pumpkins we see everywhere during fall and Halloween!"
(Display Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck - Slide 1: Pumpkin Power! then Slide 2: From Seed to Spooky!)
Pumpkin Life Cycle Story Time (15 minutes)
(Teacher): "To help us understand this journey, I have a special story called Spooky Pumpkin Story Book and a friend to help me read it! (Introduce Pumpkin Puppet). Are you ready?" (Read the Spooky Pumpkin Story Book, using the pumpkin puppet to engage students and ask simple questions during pauses in the story, e.g., "What do you think will happen next?" or "What did the little seed need to grow?")
(Teacher): "Wow, what an amazing journey! The little seed really did become a big orange pumpkin! Who can tell me one thing that happened to the pumpkin in our story?"
Science & Vocabulary Introduction (15 minutes)
(Teacher): "That story helped us learn a lot about pumpkins. Now, let's look at the real steps of how a pumpkin grows!"
(Display Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck - Slides 3-8, going through each stage)
(Teacher): "First, we have a seed (show Vocabulary Word Cards for Seed and point to corresponding slide). A tiny seed is planted in the ground. Say 'seed'!"
(Teacher): "Next, with water and sunshine, the seed grows into a sprout (show card). It pokes its head out of the earth. Say 'sprout'!"
(Teacher): "Then, the sprout gets big and long, becoming a vine (show card). The vine stretches out on the ground. Say 'vine'!"
(Teacher): "Pretty yellow flowers (show card) grow on the vine. These flowers are super important for making pumpkins! Say 'flower'!"
(Teacher): "After the flower, a little green pumpkin (show card) starts to grow! It's not orange yet, is it? Say 'green pumpkin'!"
(Teacher): "And finally, the green pumpkin gets bigger and turns bright orange (show card)! This is the big, round pumpkin we love for fall and Halloween! Say 'orange pumpkin'!"
(Display Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck - Slide 9: The Pumpkin Life Cycle)
(Teacher): "Now, let's put these Life Cycle Sequence Cards in order! Who can help me find the first step?" (Model sequencing the cards on a magnetic board or chart with student help.)
Center Rotations (40 minutes - 4 centers, 10 minutes each)
(Teacher): "You all are pumpkin experts! Now it's time to explore pumpkins in different ways. We have four fun centers today! I'm going to tell you about each one, and then we'll divide into groups."
(Teacher): "Center 1 is our Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bin! You can scoop and pour dried corn, find hidden pumpkins, and feel different textures. Remember to keep the corn in the bin!"
(Teacher): "Center 2 is Math: Pumpkin Counting Cards 1-10! You will count the pumpkins on the cards and match them to the correct number of pumpkin cutouts or little erasers."
(Teacher): "Center 3 is Letters: Letter P Tracing Worksheet! You'll practice tracing the letter 'P' for pumpkin, both big 'P' and little 'p'. You can also draw something else that starts with 'P'!"
(Teacher): "Center 4 is Science and Vocabulary: Sequence & Match! Here, you'll work together to put the Life Cycle Sequence Cards in order, just like we did together. You can also match our Vocabulary Word Cards to the pictures."
(Teacher): "Remember to share and be kind to your friends at each center. When you hear the signal, it will be time to clean up and rotate! Ready? Let's go!"
(Facilitate smooth transitions between centers, providing support and guidance at each station.)
Pumpkin Craft & Review (10 minutes)
(Teacher): "Alright, pumpkin explorers, bring it back together! You all did a fantastic job at our centers. Now, to celebrate our pumpkin learning, we're going to make a pumpkin craft!"
(Distribute construction paper, pre-cut pumpkin shapes/parts, or have students tear paper for a collage. Provide glue and crayons/markers.)
(Teacher): "As you make your pumpkin, can you tell me one thing you learned about pumpkins today? Maybe a new word, or a step in the pumpkin's life?" (Circulate and engage students in conversation about their learning.)
(Teacher): "Excellent work, everyone! From a tiny little seed all the way to a big, round, orange pumpkin ready for Halloween! You are all amazing scientists and artists!"
(Display Pumpkin Life Cycle Slide Deck - Slide 10: What Can We Do With Pumpkins?, then Slide 11: Pumpkin Power!)
(Teacher): "Thank you for a wonderful lesson on our pumpkin friends!"
Activity
Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bin
Materials:
- Large plastic bin
- Dried corn kernels or orange/brown shredded paper
- Small plastic pumpkins (various sizes if possible)
- Plastic leaves or fall-themed decorations
- Scoops, small cups, and bowls
- Tongs (optional, for fine motor practice)
Instructions:
- Fill the large bin with dried corn kernels or shredded paper to create a
Worksheet
Pumpkin Counting Cards 1-10
Instructions: Cut out each card along the dotted lines. Laminate for durability. Students will count the pumpkins on each card and match the correct number of pumpkin manipulatives (cutouts, erasers, or real mini pumpkins) to the numeral.
Card 1
1
Card 2
2
Card 3
3
Card 4
4
Card 5
5
Card 6
6
Card 7
7
Card 8
8
Card 9
9
Card 10
10
Worksheet
P is for Pumpkin! Letter Tracing
Instructions: Practice tracing the uppercase and lowercase letter P. Then, draw something else that starts with the letter P!
Trace the Uppercase P
PPP PPP PPP PPP PPP
Trace the Lowercase p
ppp ppp ppp ppp ppp
Draw something that starts with P!
(Hint: Think about things you can eat, or maybe an animal!)
Activity
Pumpkin Life Cycle Sequence Cards
Instructions: Cut out each card along the dotted lines. Laminate for durability. Students will put the cards in the correct order to show how a pumpkin grows.
1. Seed
2. Sprout
3. Vine
4. Flower
Reading
The Little Pumpkin Who Couldn't Wait for Halloween
Once upon a time, in a sunny pumpkin patch, lived a tiny seed. It was buried snugly in the warm earth, dreaming of the day it would become a big, orange pumpkin.
Spring came, and with gentle rain and bright sunshine, the little seed woke up! It pushed a small root down and a tiny green sprout up. "Hello, world!" whispered the sprout, stretching towards the sun.
The sprout grew longer and longer, turning into a beautiful, winding vine. The vine had many leaves that reached out like arms across the ground. "I'm growing so big!" chirped the vine.
Soon, bright yellow flowers bloomed on the vine. Bees buzzed happily around them, drinking sweet nectar. "These flowers are so pretty," thought the vine, "but where are the pumpkins?"
One day, after a flower faded, a tiny, round, green bump appeared! It was a baby green pumpkin! "Hooray!" shouted the vine. "I have a pumpkin!"
The green pumpkin grew bigger and bigger, getting rounder every day. As summer turned to fall, its skin slowly changed from green to a vibrant, cheerful orange. It was now a big, proud orange pumpkin!
"Look at me!" it exclaimed. "I'm ready for Halloween!" The farmer picked the orange pumpkin, and it was taken to a cozy home where it was carved into a happy, glowing jack-o
And so, the little seed's dream came true. It became a wonderful orange pumpkin, bringing joy and a little bit of spooky fun to Halloween!
The End.
Activity
Pumpkin Puppet
Description:
A simple hand puppet shaped like a friendly orange pumpkin. It can be made from felt, paper, or an old sock decorated with construction paper and markers. The puppet should have a friendly face and be easy for the teacher to manipulate while reading the story.
Suggested Use:
- Use the puppet to
Activity
Pumpkin Life Cycle Vocabulary Word Cards
Instructions: Print and cut out each word card and its corresponding picture. Laminate for durability. Use these cards for vocabulary introduction, matching activities, or as labels for the life cycle sequence.
Seed
Sprout
Vine
Flower
Green Pumpkin
Orange Pumpkin
Carve
