Featured image courtesy of hin255/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
One of the “big ideas” we teach young learners is the concept of change. Babies grow up. Children can mark their height and see how they are changing. Little seeds planted in the ground in our little paper cups grow into plants. Small pumpkins grow into big pumpkins. Caterpillars turn into butterflies.
Halloween is filled with magical changes. Children put on costumes, and “change into” a princess, Spiderman, a witch, a ghost, or a character from their favorite Disney movie.
When we think of Halloween, we see the magical change of pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. When possible, I love to purchase a pumpkin for Halloween and teach children how to carve it into a jack-o-lantern.
In the classroom, it’s easy for students to use craft projects to show both a pumpkin and a jack-o-lantern. For a very simple art project, trace the outline of a pumpkin on orange construction paper. Students cut out the shape. With colored pencils or crayons, they draw the ridges of the pumpkin on one side, and a face of a jack-o-lantern on the other.
For more pumpkin craft ideas, check out my Pinterest page with simple cooking and craft ideas.
Here’s a simple chant to teach the words “pumpkin” and “jack-o-lantern.”
Show the students the plain side and say “pumpkin.” Then turn it around and say “jack-o-lantern.” Once students know these two words, put it into this simple chant:
Jack-o-Lantern Chant by Kathleen Kampa
Pumpkin, pumpkin, (turn picture around) jack-o-lantern
Pumpkin, pumpkin, (turn picture around) jack-o-lantern
Pumpkin, pumpkin, (turn picture around) jack-o-lantern
Happy Halloween!
To add more fun, make a small pumpkin/jack-o-lantern and a big one. Students see the change from small to big, and from pumpkin to jack-o-lantern.
Here’s a simple Halloween song that my students absolutely love!
My dear friend Setsuko Toyama has made a beautiful rebus worksheet to help your students read both sight words and pictures.
Pumpkin, Pumpkin Rebus Reading
Pumpkin, Pumpkin
(words adapted by Kathleen Kampa, music: traditional)
(Sit with students in a small circle. Sing quietly.)
Pumpkin, pumpkin, small and fat,
(With fingers, make the shape of a small pumpkin.)
Turn into a jack-o-lantern,
(Roll hands. Spread fingers out wide.)
Just like that!
(Tap two fingers on the palm of your hand as you say each word.)
(Sing the verse again!)
Spoken: Grow and grow and grow and grow
and grow and grow and grow and GROW!
(Slowly stand up while making a big pumpkin shape. If you’re standing in a circle with the students, make it bigger. Get louder! Crescendo!)
(Sing loudly.)
Pumpkin, pumpkin, big and fat,
(While standing, make the shape of a big pumpkin with your whole body.)
Turn into a jack-o-lantern,
(Turn around. Jump into a big shape.)
JUST LIKE THAT!
(Clap and stamp on each word.)
(Sing the verse again!)
Here is a simple recording of the song to let you hear the melody and rhythm.
For a professional version of this song and other Halloween songs I’ve written, click here.
I’d love to see your children singing and dancing to this song. I’d love to see their cute jack-o-lanterns. Share this idea with your friends. Tell me how you’ve used this with your students.
MagicTimeKids 