The Pumpkin Patch

Introduction

 

 

Hello Fourth Graders!

You own a pumpkin patch, and your garden has grown very successfully this season.  You have a lot of pumpkins!  Today you are a new entrepreneur, and your business is pumpkins.  Follow the directions and be creative!  

 

Task

You and your colleagues own a pumpkin business.  You need to create products with your pumpkin that can be sold.  You need to advertise your products.  You will write a children’s book that will be sold at your pumpkin patch.  You will cook your pumpkin seeds and can create your own special recipe!  You will also create a new use for your pumpkin that is NOT a jack-o-lantern. 

You will present your products and advertisements to the class on the last day of this two and a half day event.

 

The following materials are available to your group for this project:

  • 1 Laptop per group
  • You may print one page to the color copier
  • Classroom supplies
  • Oven (1hour maximum) and you must sign up for oven time.
  • All worksheets needed can bo opened and printed from the classroom web page under the tab Class Forms and Permission Forms on Mrs. Zotti's class page, or just click on the links in this WebQuest. You must use ALL planning worksheets!

 

 

Process

 

 

RESEARCH 

Start by researching and reading about pumpkins.  Visit the following sites read and take notes if anything gives you an idea for your pumpkin creation/ new use. 

 

Video 1

 

Article1

 

Pumpkin Facts

 

More Pumpkin Facts

 

Unusual Pumpkin Facts

 

Pumpkin Boat Video

 

 21 creative and Delicious ways to Enjoy your Pumpkin After Halloween

 

 

 

 

Now begin your projects!  Have fun and good luck!

Collect Data

Cut the top of your pumpkin off and separate the seeds.  Count the seeds and measure the thickness of your pumpkin's wall to the nearest ¼ inch.  Record the data on the class chart on the white board.  Save the seeds in a plastic zip lock bag, store in a fridge (see your teacher for this), and clean up the mess before you move on. 

 

The next sections (Create a new product, Write a book, Bake it) can be done in any order. Advertisement must be done last.

 

Pumpkin Lab: Design and create a new product.

With your team plan and design a new use for your hollowed out pumpkin.  You may use any classroom materials to alter or change your pumpkin as needed.  You may cut your pumpkin if needed.  Remember to plan before you create, you only have one pumpkin to use!  Print the Design a Pumpkin Plan paper to draft your design. 

Remember your design must be a new idea, Jack-o-Lanterns have already beed invented and it must be useful.  Hint: Ask yourself, would someone really want to buy this from a store and use this way? If the answer in no, or you are not so sure, keep thinking!  

 

Write a book

Print the Plan a Book Worksheet.  Write a book as a group.  The book must be at least 6 pages, typed, include illustrations on each page, have a cover page with a title, and be bound using the binding machine.  This book can be an informational book, a how to book, or a story book (fiction).  This book should be written for children between the ages of 3-5 (pre-school/kindergarten). 

 

Bake it

You must sign up to use the baking center. In that center you are to follow the recipe you planned for baking your pumpkin seeds. Make sure to follow your recipe carefully, measure everything carefully and use the timer when baking. You must also clean up after baking before you can move onto the next task.  Here is a basic pumpkin seed recipe you constant with and make changes to: The Recipe.

Advertisement 

You need to create an advertisement so that people will want to come to your pumpkin patch and buy your pumpkins and products!  Your advertisement should advertise:

  • Pumpkin picking at your patch
  • Your newly designed pumpkin product
  • Cooked pumpkin seeds
  • The children's book

Your advertisement can be a PowerPoint, a short movie created with iMovie or Photo Booth, a poster, or a three fold brochure, or an original idea you have approved by your teacher. 

Evaluation

PUMPKIN PATCH RUBRIC

 

Indicator

1

2

3

4

Followed Directions

I rarely used the directions on the webquest to complete my projects



 

I used the directions on the webquest when my teacher reminded me to use them or showed me where directions and forms were

I used the webquest directions with some help from my teacher

I used the webquest directions with very little help from my teacher

Opportunities to Show Learning

*Pumpkin creation *Seed cooking  

*Childrens book

*Advertisement

I did not complete the four parts of my project

I completed some of my projects, they were not very neat

I completed ALL of my projects and they were neat

I completed ALL of my projects and they were my best work

Creativity & Problem solving

I could not think a useful creation for my pumpkin.

I turned my pumpkin into something other than a jack-o-lantern, but it was not very practical or useful.

I turned my pumpkin into something other than a jack-o-lantern. It was practical and useful.

I turned my pumpkin into something other than a jack-o-lantern. It was practical and useful. We came up with the idea by ourselves, it was original

Collaboration

I did not work with a partner or we did not collaborate. We split the work and completed projects alone.

I worked with my partner only a little. Then we did our own thing.

My partner and I worked mostly together. We discussed plans and agreed most of the time.

My partner and I worked entirely together. We took an equal role in the creation. We compromised.

 

 

Print a copy of the rubric

Conclusion

Anyone can be an entrepreneur!  

All you need is creativity!

Credits

Created by

Mrs. Zotti

Ashford School

Ashford, Connecticut

Teacher Page