Harvesting Knowledge: Kindergartners Dive Into Pumpkin Exploration
To kick off an integrated learning unit, Kindergarten students went on an adventure to Chatfield Botanic Gardens for Pumpkin Discovery Day this October. During their visit, the students ventured into the pumpkin patch, where each Kindergartener selected a pumpkin or gourd to take back to the classroom for future lessons. The experience was not only fun but also educational, as they learned about the life cycle of a pumpkin and explored their various characteristics and varieties. The groups also navigated a mini corn maze and participated in a pumpkin dissection, adding to the day’s excitement.
Back on campus, the Kindergarteners dove into their Scientific Writing Unit in Writing Workshop. “We started by writing about our pumpkins and adding labels to our drawings,” Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Courtney Collins said. “We focused on using our five senses with prompts like 'I see,' 'I hear,' and 'I feel.' This allowed students to practice including details about colors, shapes, textures, and size in their writing."
In addition to the writing activities, Graland art teachers incorporated the pumpkins into a creative drawing project inspired by Yayoi Kusama, providing another layer of learning and fun for the students.
Overall, this multidisciplinary approach provided hands-on learning opportunities and helped students connect their experiences to classroom activities. Great job, Kindergarten!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
