Preschool Pumpkin Project Based Learning

As a launchpad to the Preschool’s Project Based Learning unit, the students and their teachers started with the idea of growth, and identified what things grow (like pumpkins!) and what things do not.

After some introductory discussions around pumpkins, Mrs. Bailey’s and Ms. Nelson’s classes each decided on the Essential Questions they would pose, to help guide their PBL for the ensuing weeks. “Giving students some agency in the direction of the project allows them to feel more ownership over the process and more connected to the end result,” notes Ms. Nelson of her students’ experience.

PBL is an organic way to approach cross-curricular learning, as it seamlessly weaves in different content areas – from math and language arts, to science and art, plus fine motor skill development - to create very intentional opportunities to expand and deepen one’s knowledge of certain topics.

Ms. Nelson’s Friends Project Based Learning

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What Foods Can You Make From Pumpkins?

GUIDING ACTIVITIES

• Read From Pumpkin to Pies by Lisa Owings

• Voted on which recipe they would like to bake –they chose pumpkin chocolate chip muffins!

• Brainstorming around what tools they would need to bake the muffins

• Roasting and milling the pumpkin flesh

• Mixing in the ingredients to the muffin batter

CULMINATING PRESENTATION

Delicious pumpkin chocolate chip mini-muffins baked in the School’s kitchen and enjoyed by all the PS friends!

Mrs. Bailey’s Friends Project Based Learning

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What Different Sizes and Colors Do Pumpkins Come In?

GUIDING ACTIVITIES

• Enjoyed a visit from Farmer H who brought in a variety of pumpkins to explore

• Scooped, sorted and counted pumpkin seeds to see how many were in the larger pumpkins vs the smaller pumpkins

• The creation of the structure that would be at the center of the final paper mache pumpkin

• Selecting and mixing the paint color to use

CULMINATING PRESENTATION

A wonderful array of paper mache pumpkins in different sizes and colors!

“Throughout the project it’s really wonderful to see how students connect with their prior understanding of the topic, which then propels them further into the learning process,” remarked Mrs. Bailey. This enthusiasm which is cultivated through the PBL process also helps engender the persistence and patience required to complete the different stages of the multi-step process to arrive at the final project. Our Preschoolers were so proud of the final results!