A Closer Look at Pumpkins

We have been following “The Playful Pioneers” curriculum this year and today’s activity included making pumpkin pie.  In true homeschool-style…we turned the activity into a full-blown pumpkin study…we chopped, dissected and wrestled with this orange beauty all afternoon. 

 

Be sure to take a look at the books and crafts used for this unit study at the end of this post.

 

 

We used Julia Rothman’s books for reference on how pumpkins grow and the different types of gourds.

 

 

We followed the directions by “Delightful Adventures” found HERE to prep and roast our pumpkin and create the puree.  You can also use canned pumpkin for the Mason jar mini pies…but you won’t get the free “anatomy of a pumpkin” study or the workout!  We had so much puree we made 6 mini pies, 1 family pie, a dozen muffins, 2 dozen cookies and pumpkin soup!

“Little Sweet Baker” inspired the pie crust recipe HERE and the mason jar mini-pie recipe by “Created by Diane” HERE.  If you don’t have any mason jars, I highly recommend THESE mini jars, they are great storage for spices, loose parts or craft supplies.  We use them for just about everything.

 

 

Lots of waiting between roasting and baking, perfect for some pumpkin themed reading and crafting.

 Here’s some inspiration:

 

BOOKS

“The Roll-Away Pumpkin” by Junia Wonders is the tale of a little girl who chases her pumpkin all over town with some help along the way.  The book is beautifully illustrated and will keep the attention of little ones but can also give early readers a chance to read on their own.

 

 

 

 “Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden” by George Levenson is a great picture book that introduces readers to a backyard pumpkin patch and follows the complete life cycle of a pumpkin.

 

 

“The Very Best Pumpkin” by Mark Kimball Moulton follows the story of young Peter who tenderly cares for and raises a pumpkin of his very own and then has to make a big decision in the name of friendship.

 

 

“How Big could your Pumpkin Grow?” by Wendell Minor follows the authors imagination across the USA as he decorates some of America’s landmarks with giant pumpkins…a great review of famous places.

 

 

CRAFTS

Beaded Pipe Cleaner Pumpkins by Make and Take are simply adorable.

Parts of a Pumpkin Free Printable by Theme Park

3D Pumpkin made with book pages by Creations by Kara

Pumpkin craft for all those leftover seeds by Greening Sam & Avery

 

 

What is your families favorite pumpkin related activity?

 

Hoping you choose to reach for happy today!

Sue

 

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