This is an activity that is well known to teachers. We did it when we were in the first grade. It can be adapted for other grades by adding extra estimates and measurements.
Materials: One pumpkin per group of 4-6 people
Newspaper to cover the tables
Sharp knife for cutting pumpkin (An adult should do the
cutting!)
Measuring tape or yarn
Scale for weighing pumpkin
Ruler
Our example
| Size:
*My estimation: 26 or 35 inches
We wrapped a piece of yarn around our pumpkin. Then we measured the length of the yarn.
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Weight: *My estimation: 13 pounds
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Thinkness of shell: *My estimation: 3 inches or 1 inch
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| Lines around pumpkin:
*My estimation: 20 or 40
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| Seeds:
*My estimation: 200 or 320
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You can have more than one estimate in your group like we did on the example. You may have some people disagree with your estimate. Your estimate is just a guess, it doesn't have to be correct.