A guide for using our resources

Children will sequence how racers make boats out of giant pumpkins.

Vocabulary: shell, motor, float, sprout, vine

Science Focus: giant pumpkins, engineering

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RL.1.1 key details; RI.1.10 read and discuss first-grade texts; RF.1.1 punctuation; RF.1.2 vowel sounds, syllables; SL.1.2 ask and answer questions

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• Two mice have their own ideas about what to do with a small green pumpkin growing in the garden. Watch the pumpkin grow bigger and bigger as both mice take care of their plant.

• Hunt for short vowels with this game! Tell students to look at a specific colored box and find a word that has a short vowel in it. For example, say “I spy in the green box. . . a word with the short i sound!” Students can raise their hand when they identify the word big. Other examples include: green box‒short i/is, lift, it; blue box‒short u/cut; pink box‒short u/fun; orange box‒short i/in, it, this; purple box‒short e/get, set; sidebar‒short u/such.

Skills: experimenting, observing

Materials: Sink or Float? skill sheets, clear container of water, pencils, various materials to test

• Student scientists work to test their predictions!
• Choose four items to test in water. Suggestions include: small pumpkin,
• crayon, popsicle stick, apple, eraser
• Have students list the four chosen items on their Sink or Float? skill sheet. Then have them circle what they think will happen to each item when placed in water.
• Place a container of water where all students can see. Place the first item in the water and observe. Have students record what happened by circling sink or float on their sheet. Remove the item before placing the next item. Repeat for all items.
• Last, have a class discussion. Did any outcomes surprise the class?