More Pumpkin Fun!

Voting

This week we finished up with our pumpkin exploration. Last week, we gave you a glimpse of the plans the children had for the pumpkins. The children finished their Jack-o-lantern plans and voted on two they thought should be carved on the pumpkins. This week was the first time we had the children involved in a democratic act such as voting. We thought the fairest way to decide whose jack-o-lantern design would be carved on the pumpkin was to provide the children with an experience that would construct the idea of equality. It was explained to children that voting is "fair" because it allows each person to express an opinion. Each child was given the chance to pick the drawing they liked best. In the process of voting, the children came to terms with the idea of majority rule yet developed  sensitivity to minority positions.

Carraig and Nemer were nominated and won the votes.

Pumpkin Seed Recipe
Ms. Finkelstein and Ms. Masserant's classroom joined our classroom to clean out the pumpkins. The children enjoyed taking the seeds out and anticipated cooking them and eating them. The next day, some of the children went to Ms. Finkelstein and Ms. Masserant's classroom to prepare the seeds and cook them in the oven. Here is the recipe in case you would like to make some with your children this weekend.

1. Cut open the pumpkin and take out the seeds.
   

2. Stop and smell the pumpkin!













3. Place seeds in salted water to soak over night.












4. The next day, pat dry seeds with paper towel.

5. Cover a pan with aluminum foil and rub oil all around with paper towel.

6. Place dry seeds on pan with oil. Spread them around so they get coated with oil.

7. Sprinkle pinches of salt or garlic salt all over seeds.

9. We walked over to the kitchen.

10. We watched Ms. Rose put the seeds in the oven.

11. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes.

12. Taste Test!  Survey said- 8 children like the seeds, 4-children didn't.