Pumpkin season is one of my favorites to teach. Kids are naturally curious about these bright orange fall favorites. Plus, it’s the perfect time to bring real-world learning into the classroom.
The Pumpkin Science Unit helps learners explore the pumpkin life cycle and the parts of a pumpkin. They also learn how pumpkins grow through hands-on investigations, read-alouds, and writing activities. Whether you teach preschool, kindergarten, or first grade, this unit turns fall science into something both fun and meaningful.
What’s Inside the Pumpkin Science Unit
The Pumpkin Science Unit is full of discovery-based lessons and simple science activities designed to make your week easy to plan and engaging to teach.
All About Pumpkins
Start your week by learning what pumpkins are and where they grow. Use the KWL pumpkin chart (“I already know… / I want to learn…”) to spark discussion and guide your unit.
Pumpkin Life Cycle
Learners observe and sequence each stage of the pumpkin life cycle, from seed to sprout to vine to pumpkin, using visuals, read-alouds, and craft activities that make learning stick.
Parts of a Pumpkin
After reading Pumpkin Circle or From Seed to Pumpkin, learners examine the inside of a real pumpkin. They identify and label the parts (stem, skin, pulp, ribs, and fibrous strands) while recording their observations.
Pumpkin Investigation
This lesson is always a classroom favorite! Learners explore the pumpkin’s weight, size, color, and texture…predicting, measuring, and recording their results in a pumpkin investigation booklet.
Thankful Pumpkin
Round out the week with a gratitude-themed art and writing activity. Learners write what they’re thankful for on paper pumpkin pieces to create a classroom display that ties science and social-emotional learning together. Grab a Christian version here for FREE!
Each lesson follows a predictable format with engaging visuals, clear objectives, and easy-to-gather materials.
Literacy Integrations
This unit also includes literacy routines that keep learners reading, writing, and thinking about pumpkins all week long. In addition, the routines help build vocabulary and confidence with themed lessons.
Included Literacy Tools:
- Predictable Chart: “All About Pumpkins” writing activity for sentence structure and vocabulary
- Thematic Reader: Grow a Pumpkin emergent reader for fluency and comprehension
- Interactive Poem: Pumpkin Seeds for shared reading and number recognition
- Shared Reading & Writing: Use the Pumpkin Poem and I Can Draw a Pumpkin chart to model sequencing
- Directed Drawings: Step-by-step pumpkin drawings for labeling and writing extensions
- Writing Center: Themed vocabulary cards and templates for independent writing
These literacy routines are simple to reuse with other thematic units, helping you create consistent routines that reinforce reading and writing skills.
Thematic Literacy and Math Centers
Pair your science lessons with Pumpkin Literacy and Math Centers to create a full week of themed learning!
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These centers include pumpkin-themed rhyming, sight word building, counting, number recognition, and patterning activities that align perfectly with your science topics. They’re great for small groups, independent work, or morning tubs. Altogether, these centers create a cohesive, pumpkin-filled week of fun and learning.
Amazon Favorites for Planning
Planning your pumpkin week just got easier. I’ve gathered my favorite pumpkin read-alouds, investigation tools, and classroom must-haves in one place to make your prep quick and seamless.
Plan Your Pumpkin Week (and Beyond!)
You can grab the Pumpkin Science Unit on its own, or bundle it with the literacy and math centers for a complete thematic experience.
Or plan ahead with the October Thematic Bundle, which includes pumpkins, bats, spiders, and nocturnal animals… everything you need for a full month of engaging fall learning!
