Science for kids.

Science. Sometimes I cringe at this word because I know it typically means a lot of time-consuming preparation is imminent. As you’re probably learning, I always have the word “simple” in my brain. Sometimes I do things to make my job more simple, other times I do extra work to make things simpler for my kinders.

I try to do as much science involving local plants and animals as possible. I live and teach in Illinois, which is known as the top pumpkin-growing state in the country.

If you’re sick of teaching a huge unit on pumpkins, maybe it’s time you give gourds some much-deserved attention! I mean, they’ve been decorating  Thanksgiving dinner tables for years!

Gourds are a super fun science topic for pre-k, kindergarten, and first-grade students. They can get them in their hands, investigate them with magnifying glasses, explore their insides, even SMELL them. All the things they need to do to truly take them in using all of their senses.

Once we do a bit of research, the kids get obsessed, which makes these literacy workstations and games even more fun! 

Fun Fall Science and Literacy Activities for Kindergarten or 1st grade

Check out all of the included activities! 

How fun would it be to investigate and compare gourds with a friend?

Writing activities have both D’nealian and print options.

-ABC and letter combination naming game

-Color by color word sheet

-Read the color words and color the gourds

-Favorite thing about fall writing

-Gourd-geous fall writing (4 versions)

-Gourd investigation/observation recording sheet (4 versions)

-Gourd photo cards

-Gourd comparison (similarities/differences) partner activity

-Gourd investigation/comparison center

-Gourd sentence pocket chart activity (2 versions)

-Gourd Count around the room activity (sentence writing and number word writing- 4 versions)

Do you already use gourds in your classroom? Share your ideas! 

Gourds DO get moldy eventually…that’s what you get with real nature in your classroom. If you are looking for an alternative to REAL gourds, you could always pick up some decorative gourds instead! One Holiday Way Artificial Gourds and Pumpkins Assorted Fall Table Decoration, 12 Piece Set

Happy Teaching! 

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One Holiday Way Artificial Gourds and Pumpkins Assorted Fall Table Decoration, 12 Piece Set