Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Unit

Written on October 6, 2011 by Deb Chitwood in Unit Studies

Spooning Corn into Miniature Jack-o’-Lanterns (Photo from Olives and Pickles)

What better time is there for a pumpkin unit than October?! And resources are plentiful right now in the blogosphere.

I’ll be linking to Montessori-inspired pumpkin resources here and adding a link to my Pumpkin Unit Study Pinterest board filled with LOTS AND LOTS of pumpkin resources of all types and for all levels. I’ll be adding to this post and my Pinterest board throughout October.

Montessori Pumpkin Printables

Pumpkin Starter Unit (Image from Montessori Print Shop)

Montessori Print Shop has Pumpkins – Basic Unit Starter along with many other pumpkin materials available inexpensively.

Montessori for Everyone has a free Life Cycle of a Pumpkin pdf.

Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Activities

Parts of a Pumpkin Cards (Photo from The Work Plan)

I had an Activity of the Week – Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Activities with links to many pumpkin activities last year (photo from The Work Plan of one of those activities).

Olives and Pickles has spooning corn into miniature jack-o’-lanterns (photo at top of this post) and transferring miniature pumpkins with tongs.

Pumpkin Seed Necklace Activity (Photo from The Work Plan)

The Work Plan has flower arranging in a pumpkin vase, scrubbing a pumpkin and Five Little Pumpkins with props, pumpkin seed necklace activity (photo), and making a pumpkin softie.

H is for Homeschooling has a number of creative pumpkin ideas, including an activity using ping-pong-ball pumpkins.

Pumpkin Hammering (Photo from My Montessori Journey)

My Montessori Journey has Pumpkin Hammering (featured in my post last year), Pumpkin Life Cycle Work, Pumpkin Life Cycle, Fun with Pumpkins, Pumpkin Art Project, and Drawing on a Pumpkin.

Spooning Pumpkin Transfer (Photo from The Education of Ours)

The Education of Ours has spooning pumpkin transfer with a hidden preparation for decimal system work.

Weaving Activity (Photo from To the Lesson!)

To the Lesson! has a number of pumpkin-themed activities, including a weaving activity using pumpkin-shaped muffin cups.

Itty Bitty Love has matching felt pieces to Jack-o’-Lantern Faces.

Making Montessori Ours has a number of pumpkin activities.

Life Cycle of a Pumpkin (Photo from One Hook Wonder)

One Hook Wonder has a number of activities for exploring a pumpkin and life cycle of a pumpkin (photo of the cards from Montessori for Everyone).

Labeling Parts of a Pumpkin (Photo from Homeschool Escapade)

Homeschool Escapade has many Montessori-inspired pumpkin activities, including labeling parts of a pumpkin.

Pumpkin Polishing (Photo by Jessie from The Education of Ours – at Mommy Moment)

Jessie from The Education of Ours has pumpkin polishing at Mommy Moment.

Montessori Mom has links to a number of pumpkin resources.

Evelyn_Saenz has a Squidoo lens on Pumpkins and Place Value that has many Montessori-compatible activities.

Joyfully Weary has upper- and lower-case letter matching using plaster of Paris pumpkins made in a pumpkin ice cube tray.

Unplug Your Kids has a post with pumpkin activities and another with the results of planting pumpkin seeds.

More Ideas for a Pumpkin Unit Study on Pinterest

Pinterest – Pumpkin Unit Study

On Pinterest, I have MANY, MANY MORE resources for a pumpkin unit study for a number of age levels. The resources aren’t all Montessori resources, but there are many fantastic ideas to choose from to fit into a pumpkin unit.

Does your child have a favorite pumpkin activity?

Linked with The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions at Milk and Cuddles and Crystal & Co. , Pinterest Tuesday, Show-and-Share Saturday, Link & Learn, The Sunday Showcase at Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas and Classified: Mom, Autumn-4-Mommy Linkie at Rainbows Within Reach, One Artsy Mama, Mommy Moment, AfterSchool Party, and All Year Round Blog Carnival: Autumn, Autumn Blog Hop, and Pumpkin Patch Blog Hop.

Tags: autumn, Halloween, homeschool, jack-o'-lanterns, Montessori-inspired pumpkin unit, October, pumpkin unit, unit study

49 Responses to Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Unit

Discovering Montessori
October 6, 2011 | 9:24 am

Thank you for sharing what the kids and I have been up to! Love your Pinterest Board. Thank you again for sharing.

Reply
- Deb
  October 10, 2011 | 4:52 pm
  
  My pleasure! And thanks for all the wonderful activities you share through your blogs!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Counting Coconuts
October 6, 2011 | 10:39 am

Great post, Deb! Just linked to it on my FB page.

Reply
- Deb
  October 10, 2011 | 4:56 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Mari-Ann! I appreciate you sharing my post on your FB page! Great to see you here … and I’m glad you’re having so much fun with your new baby!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Olives and Pickles
October 6, 2011 | 11:29 am

This is such a helpful post!!Thank you so much for the nice gesture on mention my blog.Love the pictures and your pinterest board!
You do such a great job!
Patty

Reply
- Deb
  October 7, 2011 | 6:50 pm
  
  Thanks so much for your kind comment, Patty! I love your activity – so simple yet attractive, appealing, and great for eye-hand coordination!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Jen
October 6, 2011 | 4:43 pm

Thank you! We will be doing a pumpkin unit in two weeks, perfect timing!!

We just finished our apple unit using many of the ideas from your blog, it was so fun! You can see it here: http://mylifeandcheese.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-apple-unit.html
Jen recently posted..Our Apple Unit!

Reply
- Deb
  October 7, 2011 | 6:52 pm
  
  Thanks, Jen! It looks like you had a wonderful apple unit! I’m glad the timing is right for this unit!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Little Blue's Room
October 6, 2011 | 10:02 pm

I think I’m going to add the corn spooning into the mini pumpkins in my classroom. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this. I might even add some pumpkin seeds to the mix. This is great – thanks!
Little Blue’s Room recently posted..It’s Fall

Reply
- Deb
  October 7, 2011 | 6:53 pm
  
  Thanks for your comment! It’s a great idea, isn’t it?! And I love your idea of adding pumpkin seeds!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Raven
October 7, 2011 | 1:42 am

There are so many ways to enjoy pumpkin.. Thanks to you!
Raven recently posted..Gadgets Reviews News And More

Reply
- Deb
  October 7, 2011 | 6:54 pm
  
  Thanks for your comment, Raven! Have a great weekend!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
JDaniel4's Mom
October 7, 2011 | 3:24 am

Weaving on a stand looks like such fun! I need to try it with JDaniel. Wonderful ideas! What a great linked post!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Read.Explore.Learn.- The Pumpkin Man of Piney Creek

Reply
- Deb
  October 7, 2011 | 6:56 pm
  
  Thanks for your kind comment, JDaniel4′s Mom! I always love the creative ways To the Lesson! incorporates themed activities into her classroom. And I LOVE finding so many awesome ideas online!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Raejean
October 7, 2011 | 11:32 am

This makes me wish my kiddos were still little. I’ll have to look through your pinterest board for ideas for the older ones.
Raejean recently posted..Friday Favorites: October 7

Reply
- Deb
  October 7, 2011 | 6:58 pm
  
  Thanks, Raejean! Finding so many wonderful activities makes me miss having little ones around, too! There are activities for younger and older kids on the Pinterest board.
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Rainy Day Mum
October 7, 2011 | 3:41 pm

Mom Loop Comment Follow – what a great selection of pumpkin themed resources. I really wish we did more with pumpkins in the UK but think that they will be great ideas to use around Halloween with my children.
Rainy Day Mum recently posted..Space Rock Cakes

Reply
- Deb
  October 7, 2011 | 7:04 pm
  
  Thanks, Rainy Day Mum! When I was working on my master’s degree in England, I was really surprised at how small Halloween is in the UK compared to the US. My school placement nursery made almost no mention of it. And I had a hard time finding pumpkin pie mix for Thanksgiving. I finally found some in Sheffield at Waitrose … so all the American students went there and cleaned out the pumpkin pie mix!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Unit
  
  Reply
  - Rainy Day Mum
    October 18, 2011 | 3:47 am
    
    I went and checked out waitrose but couldn’t find any as love the pumpkin pie my sister-in-law whose american makes – however I found a make your own pumpkin pie spice recipe and I hope it tastes as good.
    Rainy Day Mum recently posted..UFO Walk
    
    Reply
    - Deb
      October 20, 2011 | 6:12 pm
      
      That’s too bad if they’re not carrying canned pumpkin at Waitrose any longer (probably didn’t have many asking for it). But homemade pumpkin pie made from scratch is the best! Makes me hungry and ready for Thanksgiving just thinking of it!
      Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
      
      Reply
Amanda
October 7, 2011 | 7:48 pm

Thanks for sharing – I will have trouble deciding which activities to do first. I am a new follower from the Mom Loop Community!

Reply
- Deb
  October 10, 2011 | 4:32 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Amanda! I love pumpkin activities, so I just keep adding them, too – especially to my Pinterest board!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
JDaniel4's Mom
October 8, 2011 | 5:49 am

Just wonderful! I Stumbled this activity.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Read.Explore.Learn.- The Pumpkin Man of Piney Creek

Reply
- Deb
  October 10, 2011 | 4:40 pm
  
  Thanks, JDaniel4′s Mom! I’m so glad you’re part of the group!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Rachele
October 8, 2011 | 9:30 am

Thank you for reminding me about pumpkin hammering! My kids LOVED doing that when I taught preschool, but now that I’m home, I forget all those wonderful ideas. I want to provide that sort of thing for my son and I can’t believe how blank my mind has become! Thank you, thank you!
Rachele recently posted..Creepy Crawly Water Beads

Reply
- Deb
  October 10, 2011 | 4:41 pm
  
  Thanks for your comment, Rachele! It’s easy to compartmentalize things! I’m always reminded online of things I used to love when I taught and when I homeschooled!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Amy
October 9, 2011 | 5:53 am

Wow, what great ideas! We’ve been considering Montessori for our son when he gets old enough for school. I’d love for you to link up here:

http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/10/fall-craft-challenge-5-kids-craft-or.html
Amy recently posted..Monster Making 101

Reply
- Deb
  October 10, 2011 | 4:49 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Amy! I just linked up!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Betsy at Zen Mama
October 9, 2011 | 2:42 pm

Great ideas! I’ve been recommending your blog to a lot of preschool teacher friends lately and in our preschool newsletter. Thanks for being a great inspiration!!
Betsy at Zen Mama recently posted..Let’s All Give It Up For Non Attachment!

Reply
- Deb
  October 10, 2011 | 4:50 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Betsy! I really appreciate your recommending my blog! I’m honored!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Autumn Leaf Unit
  
  Reply
Jessie, The Education of Ours
October 11, 2011 | 5:12 pm

Always bursting with new ideas, Deb! I love the idea of putting the Parts of the Pumpkin Cards in a PUMPKIN! Mine are in a boring 3 part tray, going to spice up the science shelf
Jessie, The Education of Ours recently posted..Monday’s Montessori Moment: Pumpkin Polishing and Fall Linky

Reply
- Deb
  October 11, 2011 | 8:37 pm
  
  Thanks, Jessie! I loved that idea, too … it’s always amazing how much a touch like that can increase interest in an activity!
  Deb recently posted..How to Homeschool without Spending a Fortune
  
  Reply
Mala
October 12, 2011 | 8:54 am

Fantastic! You have great idea! This is another style of Pumpkins activities.

Reply
- Deb
  October 20, 2011 | 6:04 pm
  
  Thanks for your comment, Mala! I hope you found some activities you can use!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Halloween Activities
  
  Reply
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
October 16, 2011 | 6:29 am

you always compile such a wonderful assortment of ideas together in these posts. Truly a fabulous resource. I love the simple weaving, fun pumpkin polishing and well all of it really!

Thanks for sharing on last week’s Sunday Showcase. I hope to see you share more of your fun ideas this week.

Bern
http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Showcase
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas recently posted..The Sunday Showcase 10/16/11 – Come & Share Your Child Centered Ideas!

Reply
- Deb
  October 20, 2011 | 6:07 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Bern! I always love Sunday Showcase! I haven’t had a chance to do my pinning from the Sunday Showcase for the week yet. I’ll be back soon to pin activities to my Pinterest boards … Sunday Showcase is an awesome resource!
  Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Holiday Learning eBook!
  
  Reply
Crystal & Co
October 19, 2011 | 9:27 am

You are amazing with the ideas you come up with!

This was one of the most viewed submissions last week on my mommy linky party.

Check out your feature here:
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/10/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-14/
Crystal & Co recently posted..The Mommy Club- Share Your Resources and Solutions #14

Reply
- Deb
  October 20, 2011 | 6:10 pm
  
  Thanks so much for your kind comment, Crystal! How awesome that my pumpkin unit was one of the most viewed submissions! I always love Mommy Club, and it’s so exciting when my post is one of the top 5 viewed posts!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Halloween Activities
  
  Reply
Bea
October 23, 2011 | 4:59 pm

Great post, I’ve added a link here http://alljoinin.blogspot.com/2011/10/so-autumn-pumpkin-theme-continued.html

Reply
- Deb
  November 4, 2011 | 5:38 pm
  
  Thanks so much for your kind comment, Bea – and for linking to my post! I really appreciate it!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Halloween Activities
  
  Reply
Little Wonders' Days
October 31, 2011 | 8:28 pm

Another fabulous round up of themed activities. I’m so impressed with how many different activities there are to do with pumpkins. Thank you for linking up to AfterSchool!
Little Wonders’ Days recently posted..Happy Halloween

Reply
- Deb
  November 4, 2011 | 5:40 pm
  
  Thanks so much! It is amazing how many awesome pumpkin ideas are online! I’ve found many ideas from the AfterSchool Linky Party to add to my Pinterest boards, too!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Halloween Activities
  
  Reply
maryanne from mama smiles
November 1, 2011 | 8:49 am

What a fantastic collection of activities! I especially love the spooning corn into mini jack o’ lanterns and the pumpkin seed necklace activity.

Thank you for linking up to the Afterschool party!
maryanne recently posted..Month in Review and November Goals

Reply
- Deb
  November 4, 2011 | 5:42 pm
  
  Thanks, Maryanne! I love those activities, too! It’s great when fun, seasonal activities are so wonderful for eye-hand coordination as well.
  Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Halloween Activities
  
  Reply
Sierra
November 1, 2011 | 11:33 am

Thank you for stopping by my blog again and for adding my blog to this post I always appreciate encouragement and comments! Hope you had a nice Halloween!

Reply
- Deb
  November 4, 2011 | 5:45 pm
  
  My pleasure, Sierra! And thanks for all the wonderful ideas you share! My husband and I have nice, quiet Halloween nights now that we’re empty nesters (and live in a part of Colorado Springs that’s too hilly to get many trick-or-treaters). I miss all the festivities, but quiet is good, too. I hope your Halloween was wonderful!
  Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Halloween Grace and Courtesy
  
  Reply
Are You Going Orange for No Kid Hungry? | RaisingFigureSkaters.com
September 7, 2012 | 6:35 am

[...] to focus on the color orange. Pumpkin activities are fun this time of year anyway. I have Montessori-inspired pumpkin unit at Living Montessori Now and a Pumpkin Unit Study Pinterest Board with lots of ideas for pumpkin [...]

Reply
Montessori-Inspired Halloween Activities | LivingMontessoriNow.com
October 16, 2012 | 7:45 am

[...] Montessori-Inspired Pumpkin Unit (my 2011 roundup post) [...]

Reply
ang
October 22, 2012 | 9:32 am

Thanks so much for linking up with the Pumpkin Patch Blog Hop! I added this to my Pumpkin Board on Pinterest

Reply