1. Topic-
History of Halloween
 
2. Content-
I chose to focus on only one aspect of Halloween, the jack-o'- lantern. (Pumpkins)
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
* Ability to sequence the cards of the growth of a pumpkin will be assessed.
* Ability to recognize specific areas where pumpkins are grown on a world map will be assessed.
* Created books and sharing of them will be assessed.
* Math responses will be assessed.
* Responses to discussion questions will be assessed.
 
4. Objectives-
* Students will organize sequence cards appropriately.
* Students will give examples of and illustrate some "Pumpkin facts".
* Students will recognize that Halloween is celebrated in different countries around the world.
* Students will recognize that Halloween traditions are different in different areas.
* Students will recognize different uses of pumpkins.
* Students will relate pumpkins to the jack-o'-lantern and Halloween.
 
5. Materials and Aids-
sequence cards
Pumpkin Pumpkin book
map (world)
Pumpkins (various sizes)
scales
measuring tapes
recipe ingredients
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

Discuss the history of the pumpkin and how they were spread throughout the world. Show the children on a world map that pumpkins originated in Northern, Central and South America. After the Americas were discovered the pumpkins were taken back to France and England. Show the travels on the map. Then have the children identify the areas on the map.
 

B. Development-

*This activity shows the correct growth sequence, from a seed to a pumpkin, and finally a jack-o'-lantern. Use the cards to show the correct sequence. This can be done individually or as a group. Read the story Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington. Use the cards to sequence the events in the book. Students may also retell the story using only the sequence cards. Each child should have a set of sequence cards.
 

C. Practice-

*Each child will participate in making one of the following recipes: Quick and Easy Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Bread, or Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.
 

D. Independent Practice-

*Give a pumpkin to each group of four or five students. Have students weigh, measure and find other facts about their pumpkins by answering the following questions: How long is the stem of your pumpkin? How many ridges are there going around the pumpkin? What is the circumference of your pumpkin? How much does your pumpkin weigh? How many seeds are in your pumpkin?
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

*Field Trips

*Hands on Projects
 

F. Checking for understanding-

*Quizzes

*Projects

*Test
 

G. Closure-

*A Major Test
 
7. Evaluation-
* Ability to sequence the cards of the growth of a pumpkin will be assessed.
* Ability to recognize specific areas where pumpkins are grown on a world map will be assessed.
*Math responses will be assessed.
 
8. Teacher Reflection-
1. The students did a great job and seemed to enoy it.
2. The students will love the activities and will learn so much.
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)