Pumpkin Picking

We were lucky the rain held off so we could have an enjoyable morning at Ingaldsby Farm.  Students may have been disappointed yesterday when they heard we would have to switch from picking apples to pumpkins, but that disappointment quickly turned into excitement once children arrived at the pumpkin patch!
Everyone enjoyed the hayride to the pumpkins.  On the way, we stopped and met some cows who are nicknamed "Oreo" because that is just what they resemble!  We learned that pumpkins grow on vines and that you have to twist the stem to release the pumpkin from the vine.  Each child was excited to hunt for their own pumpkin that they thought was just right for them.  Then we took the hayride back to the picnic tables where we enjoyed apple cider and apple cider doughnuts.  Finally, the kindergarteners ended the fun-filled morning by playing in the playground and looking at the farm animals.

This afternoon, children practiced being scientists by observing with their eyes and hands how their pumpkins looked and felt.  They drew pictures of their pumpkins, which took into account the size and shape of their pumpkin's stem and the lines and bumps on the pumpkin.  After, for math, we learned what the words compare and sort mean.  We used unifix cubes to measure the pumpkins and we compared how tall the pumpkins were.  We thought of characteristics to describe the pumpkins and then used those characteristics to sort the pumpkins.  We found some pumpkins were bumpy while others were smooth, some had white spots and others had no spots.  We looked for short and tall stems as well as straight and curvy.  Today was a lot of fun!  I bet everyone will be ready for bed tonight (I know I am!)!
Today's field trip was a great introduction to pumpkins.  We will learn about pumpkins in a couple of weeks after we finish learning about apples.  Then we will be able to compare and contrast the two fruits!
A huge thank you to the PTO for organizing and sponsoring  this field trip!