The Pumpkin Patch

Melanie B. Spell

A Webquest for 2nd Grade: Pumpkins

Designed by 

Melanie B. Spell
 mbspell@yahoo.com

Introduction | Learners | Standards  |  Tasks |  Process | Evaluation | Conclusion  

Introduction

This lesson was developed as part of a pumpkin thematic unit for my second grade class.

In this rural area of North Carolina, pumpkins are harvested by local farmers and sold, mostly at small stands in the farmer's front yard.  As part of our social studies curriculum, we have studied pumpkins in our community as well at in other parts of the world. This webquest is a collection of some of our favorite activities.

Learners

This lesson is designed to cover the second grade social studies curriculum.  It also involves many of the competency goals addressed in second grade.  

There is no specific prior knowledge needed before beginning this lesson.  All that a learner needs are basic computer skills and their thinking caps.

Curriculum Standards

Social Studies Standards Addressed

  • The learner will be able to identify examples of change in neighborhoods. 
  • The learner will be able to identify vegetation in neighborhoods.
  • The learner will be able to analyze human-environment interaction in local and other neighborhoods.

 Language Arts Standards Addressed

  • The learner will be able to explain and describe new concepts and information in their own words.
  • The learner will be able to write structured, informative presentations and narratives when given help with organization.
The Task

Through the hands-on activities presented in this Webquest, the  learner will produce the following tasks:

  • answers to questions about growing a pumpkin;
  • a brochure of tips on how to grow a giant pumpkin;
  • a quiz on pumpkin facts.

The Process

Task #1:

  1. Visit the website, The Pumpkin Circle, www.pumpkincircle.com/growing.hmtl
  2. Read the information provided about how to grow a pumpkin.  
  3. Answer the questions that are written below on a piece of paper.
  4. In the computer lab, type your answers to the questions using a word processing program.

    QUESTIONS:

  1. Where should a pumpkin seed be planted?
  2. How often should a pumpkin plant be watered?
  3. How far apart should pumpkin seeds be planted?
  4. When should pumpkins be picked?
  5. In what sequence does a pumpkin grow? (Hint: There are 6 steps.)

Task #2:

  1. Visit the website, The University of Illinois Extension Services, www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/pumpkins.
  2. Read the Giant Pumpkin questions and answer section.
  3. Record on a piece of paper 10 questions and answers that you found interesting.
  4. Create a brochure, using your 10 questions and answers, of Tips for Growing A Giant Pumpkin. The brochure should be made out of construction paper.  Ask Mrs. Spell for help if you would like to print out pumpkin pictures from the computer.

Task #3:

  1. Visit Swan's Pumpkin Farm, http://thepumpkinfarm.com/funfacts.html.
  2. Read carefully the fun facts about pumpkins.  
  3. Go to http://thepumpkinfarm.com/quiz.html.
  4. Answer the questions on the quiz.
  5. Submit your answers by clicking on the submit button at the bottom of the page.
  6. Print your score and turn it in to Mrs. Spell.

Evaluation

The brochure completed in task #2 will be graded according to the rubric listed below.

Score 4 3 2 1
Content - Accuracy All facts in the brochure are accurate. 99-90% of the facts in the brochure are accurate. 89-80% of the facts in the brochure are accurate. Fewer than 80% of the facts in the brochure are accurate.
Spelling & Proofreading No spelling errors remain after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the brochure. No more than 1 spelling error remains after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the brochure. No more than 3 spelling errors remain after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the brochure. Several spelling errors in the brochure.
Writing - Organization Each section in the brochure has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Almost all sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end. Most sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end. Less than half of the sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end.
Attractiveness & Organization The brochure has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information. The brochure has attractive formatting and well-organized information. The brochure has well-organized information. The brochure's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.
Knowledge Gained All students in the group can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the brochure and to technical processes used to create the brochure. All students in the group can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the brochure and to technical processes used to create the brochure. Most students in the group can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the brochure and to technical processes used to create the brochure. Several students in the group appear to have little knowledge about the facts or technical processes used in the brochure.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have learned some new facts about pumpkins by completing the tasks in this Webquest.  Be sure to share the information that you have learned about pumpkins with your friends and family!
Last updated on November 20, 2001. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page