We love to create Preschool STEAM activities based on our favorite picture books. This Storytime STEAM challenge is inspired by our favorite pumpkin, Spookley the Square Pumpkin!
STEAM is the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. STEAM activities help promote essential 21st-century skills, which is important in preparing our children for an unknown future. Each STEAM challenge is designed to challenge children’s thinking and problem-solving skills.
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin is written by Joe Troiano and illustrated by Susan Banta. Spookley is an odd shaped pumpkin that saves the day and inspires us not to judge a pumpkin by its shape.
Use your knowledge of shapes to build your own Spookley inspired pumpkin patch.
Objective: Build a play dough pumpkin patch inspired by Spookely the Square Pumpkin.
Materials: Play Dough, Green Pipe Cleaners, Blocks (optional), Digital Camera (optional)
Read the story or watch the video, Spookley the Square Pumpkin.
Ask: How can we create a Spookley inspired pumpkin patch? What shapes would we see in a Spookley pumpkin patch?
Imagine: Give students time to experiment creating different shaped pumpkins using play dough.
Plan: Choose what colors and shapes you wish to include in your Spookley inspired pumpkin patch. Students may wish to draw their design.
Create: Build your pumpkin patch.
Experiment: Can you add any other shapes or colors to your pumpkin patch?
Improve: Discuss how you can improve your pumpkin patch. What else does a pumpkin patch need? Allow students time to add to their pumpkin patch.
Share: Draw a picture of your final pumpkin patch or take digital photographs to share with parents or other classmates.
STEAM Integration:
Science: What are the different parts of a pumpkin?
Technology: Take a digital picture of your pumpkin patch.
Engineering: Use blocks to build a display for your pumpkins.
Art: Can you mix colors together to create new pumpkin colors?
Math: How many different shaped pumpkins can you create for your pumpkin patch?
You may also like:
5 Little Pumpkins Storytime STEAM Challenge
The Runaway Pumpkin Storytime STEAM Challenge
My prek class loved making their pumpkins with playdough both big and small. Some used the craft sticks as a fence to go around the block!