Pumpkin Handprint

This Pumpkin Handprint idea is one that I got from my daughter. She did it for the children in her daycare. I liked it so much that I decided to share it with you. It might not be practical to do this with a large class, but it is a perfect idea for your own children or for a small group of children.



Here are the directions that my daughter shared with me for making one Pumpkin Handprint or footprint:

1 cup flour    

1 cup salt      

1/2 cup water

Mix together with hands until dough forms.

Roll it into a ball and place it on a baking pan lined with wax paper. Roll it out and push in the sides forming a pumpkin. (Makes sure to save a small amount of dough for the stem) shape your stem and push it onto the top. 

Push in the child's hand or foot (for smaller children, you can use both hands/feet).

Bake for 3 hours at 250 degrees. Let it cool, then turn the pumpkin over and bake it for an additional 1 hour. 

Once it is baked and cooled, paint your pumpkin. My daughter painted the whole pumpkin orange first and then let it dry, before painting it black. Once the pumpkin is dry, spray it with clear acrylic spray paint. The spray dries in an hour. 

I hope that you enjoy this very cute idea.

Defining and Non-Defining Attributes of Shapes

Defining and Non-defining attributes can be a vague concept for students. The vocabulary alone is a bit tricky, so I created this packet as a resource to help students with this concept. I've used this packet in my classroom for a few years now and have found it very helpful. 

The purchased set includes complete directions on how I use this packet. I won't go into detail here, but basically I use students prior knowledge and informal discussions of shapes and then use the resources in the packet for at least 3-4 lessons in which I talk more formally about attributes.  

Here is kind of what it looks like in the classroom:

First Lessons – I introduce plane shapes by talking about the names of the shapes; the number of sides; the number of corners; how a circle is a shape with zero corners and sides; and how a shape must be closed in order to be a shape. I follow up my discussions with various worksheets (not included). 

Intro: Defining and Non-defining Attribute Lesson – In the next lessons I begin exposing students to the concept of attributes by discussing shapes and what makes a shape a shape. By the time we start this Defining and Non-Defining Attribute packet, students are ready to apply what they have learned. I begin the introduction of defining and non-defining attributes by using the colored sorting activity page and cards as a modeled lesson talking through my sort. 

Subsequent Lessons – I continue my introductory lesson the following day if needed, or at the very least do a quick review before continuing with the student sort. Once I feel that students are ready, I provide them with the student copy of the picture word sort. They are able to complete the sort on their own and then store them in a Ziploc bag. I like students to keep them for a while and use them as a review for a few days. 

Once we are done using the sort in class I have students take it home and share it with their family. It is a really good opportunity for parents to see the type of learning that is going on in the classroom, plus students love doing this. 

Here is a sample of what is included in the packet. It can be purchased from my TpT Store if you are interested. 

Defining and Non-Defining Attributes of a Shape

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Defining-and-Non-Defining-Attributes-of-a-Shape-1231778

Here is a YouTube video that shows how I use this packet.