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Wilmington.Ma.

I'm going into my grandaughter's 3rd grade class,after Christmas break to speak about growing pumpkins. I've been working with High School students for over 20 years, any suggestions on what to cover with 3rd graders? I welcome any input. I want to keep the information basic for them to understand. Thanks for your help. I plan on bringing in seeds, 3 inch pots & potting soil. Any other ideas???

12/11/2008 2:20:12 PM

Wilmington.Ma.

PS E mail my at :[email protected]

12/11/2008 2:22:03 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Start a seed in a clear jar and place the seed next to the glass and let the kids see the germination process. Just and idea. Kids love to see the process. It works good with beans, probably pumpkins too.

12/11/2008 2:27:48 PM

Salem, NY

Bring in some pictures of giant pumpkins! They love to see the monsters!

12/11/2008 2:27:49 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

Visual is the way to go. Croley's idea about the seed is great. On the pictures, you could assemble a handfull of photos (start to finish) by using some of the photos in the grower diaries.

Too bad your talk wasn't in October. You could have shown them a pumpkin on the back of a truck!

12/11/2008 3:08:42 PM

Coupeville WA

This is always fun. I have done it several times for my daughters classes. Think simple, simple, simple.
Pictures and props- what you have described are great. Any ribbons or awards that you may have won at events or weigh offs are a hit.
Kids love to ask questions. Leave plenty of time for this.
What I have done in the past as well is in the spring, I will plant 20-30 seeds in 4" pots and take them to the kids. Then they go home and plant their own plant. Most get destroyed or never planted, but I have seen 5-6 families take the bait and they have become serious sgrowers as well.
Good Luck.

12/11/2008 3:38:15 PM

Westford, MA

Hey George
Bring in some germinated seeds/seedlings at various stages.
Pics of male and female flowers, good luck describing the pollenation.

12/11/2008 3:44:02 PM

ordinary,VA

agree with the post above....
just use your imagination and keep it fun, you might have to break down pumpkin terminology little bit.you could bring some pictures of Giant pumpkins to show the class and maybe a Free Giant pumpkin seed for each of the Kids should help!!

just be yourself and have fun (you will).

same fun problem here, been coaching kids 15-18 yr last 15 years
now coaching 6-7 yr big difference but fun as all heck!!!

12/11/2008 3:59:54 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

George: let me know if you need some pictures? i've done this several times pre-schoolers and up.

12/11/2008 4:37:41 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I bought a poster of Joe Jutras with his big pumpkin from Don Langevin, put it in a cheap frame, and use that as a prop as well, they love seeing the big pumpkin and the guy smiling...

12/11/2008 5:12:00 PM

Walton N.y.

i agree with keep it simple with lots of pictures - there was a grower that has time laps shots from his patch a few years ago that showed the entire season in something like 10 minutes check with bohica we did a seminar near him and i think he might still have that on disc pass out seeds they don't have to be hot seeds as most of the seeds won't see soil and i've found save the cross info (if you have enough of the same seed) and just put on the package dill atlantic giant pumpkin seed i made the mistake of leaving the growers name on the package (andy wolf had donated seeds ) and 1 kid said i don't want to grow a wolf i want a pumpkin

12/11/2008 5:27:37 PM

Walton N.y.

true story ... also pumpkinnook has some interesting pumpkin facts listed on that site , throw in a little of the uses pumpkins have and how long pumpkins have been grown . padon the pun but you just want to plant the seed of them wanting to grow pumpkins and let them decide if they want to grow their pumpkin growing skills randy and deb

12/11/2008 5:31:40 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Hey George,
Let your beard grow out and wear a Red Suit...You'll do just fine! LOL
Duff

12/11/2008 7:55:47 PM

Wilmington.Ma.

I'de like to thank ever one for there input all great
suggestions and Ill try to use them all and Klancy I think Ill let the bees handle that one.

12/12/2008 1:30:51 PM

Utah

this gives them an idea how big they are...
Take a giant pumpkin tape meausre... then have kids come up, stand inside it and hold it up until you have as many as it takes to get the same circumference as your biggest - or the world record pumpkin.

Take a bag full of giant pumpkin seeds- all differnet colors, shapes and sizes... say something like: all these seeds can grow a big giant pumpkin. people are just the same... we come in all differnet colors, shapes and sizes but we can all grow up and accomplish big things.

12/12/2008 3:28:54 PM