How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? (And Other Pumpkin Problems)

You'd think this is a book about math (and mostly, it is), but it's also about inquiry, teamwork, and learning that the size of something tiny doesn't always reflect the enormity of what's inside. 

Yep ... pumpkins AND people.🧡

This is the perfect time of year to read this picture book by Margaret McNamara. It tells the story of Mr. Tiffin's class and their collaborative work to find out which of three pumpkins has the most seeds.

The question is posed. They gather their supplies. And they set about scooping, sorting, and counting. Together, they decide one group should count their seeds by 2s, another by 5s, and another by 10s. 

Each time I do this lesson with first graders, most predict the largest pumpkin will have the most seeds. Seems plausible, right? But they're surprised to find out that's not often the case. (Not only do these lessons lend themselves to math and science concepts, but it's pretty easy to tie in the "you can't judge a book by its cover" discussion.)

This book can stand on its own, but it's also a great way to launch an extended study of other pumpkin inquiries.

We read the book on Monday and then dive into a week's worth of investigations that tie in math concepts such as place value, numerical order, measurement, addition, and collecting & analyzing data, as well as science concepts covering the physical properties of matter, force and motion, sinking & floating, and making predictions.

(Sample Vocabulary Posters & Investigation)

(You can see more clicking HERE.)

A little TIP if you haven't done pumpkin activities with your students... 

👉 Some children will not like the way the inside of the pumpkin feels on their skin. I recommend being sensitive to this to avoid a potential crisis. Instead, give those children a different, but equally important, job during the process. For example, I had a student one year with specific sensory preferences who could've easily become anxious and overstimulated by the thought of touching the stringy pulp and slimy seeds, but he wanted to participate. So we gave him the job of Materials Manager. Throughout the investigation, he delivered extra paper towels, refilled water bowls, ferried the trash cans around, and monitored our time. It was a great way to value his contributions without grossing him out.😉

Happy teaching!