DLTK's Educational Activities
November "Who's Hiding in the Pumpkin Patch" Bulletin Board Project

The Theme:

A fall harvest or thanksgiving theme with pumpkin Templates.  The door of the pumpkin can be opened.  Under the door is a picture and on the back of the door is information.  The picture/info can be in the following formats:

• Picture of the child; "I am thankful for __________".
• Picture of a character or animal from a children's book; the title and author of the book (each day a new door will be opened and that book will be discussed and read in class - for example, you can hide a picture of a mouse and then read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie").  This is my favorite version.
• Picture of a famous or historical character (for example, Columbus); the name and a fact about them.
   
• Sunday School Version:  Picture of a biblical character or symbol; the name and quote from the bible, prayer or poem relating to them.  (for example, you might include a heart and then sing the song 'Jesus Loves Me') 

Additional educational activities for PreK and Kindergarten:  Learn the colors orange, brown and/or green.  Learn the letters F (Fall), H (Harvest) and/or P (Pumpkin).  Additional Resources not shown on the layout:  Letter F alphabuddies section, Letter H alphabuddies section, Letter P alphabuddies section, Byron Brown color buddy, Gus Green color buddy and Oranda Orange color buddy.

Additional educational activities for Grades 1 and 2:  Learn about the fruits and vegetables food group as it ties to harvest time - healthy eating and nutrition.  For Additional Resources, visit DLTK's Nutrition Activities.

Directions and Links:

Cover the bulletin board with brown on the bottom 2/3's and sky blue on the top 1/3.  The line doesn't have to be cut evenly (make it look like rolling hills).

Draw dashed black or dark brown lines down the brown section of the board so it looks roughly like a farmer's field.

OPTIONAL:  Glue some pumpkin leaves around the field  color  or B&W)

Trace a dinner plate sized circle onto yellow card stock or construction paper as a sun.  Tape it to the top right corner of the board.

Cut out one or two white clouds (roughly this shape )  Tape them to the top right corner of the board, overlapping the sun slightly

Print the November title template "Who's Hiding in the Pumpkin Patch?"   color  or B&W)   Glue it onto the clouds, trimming as necessary.

Have the children:

• Draw or trace a pumpkin onto orange cardstock or construction paper (or use white construction paper and let them paint it orange).  Have them cut out the pumpkin - may require adult assistance for younger age groups.  OR use the pumpkin template I've provided color  or B&W)
• Draw a door onto the pumpkin (this is done for you on the template I've provided)
• Cut around the door, so it opens (do not cut the left edge of the door)
• Glue a photo or picture onto the back side of the pumpkin so when the door is open, the picture peeks through.  Ideas for images to use:
  • Picture of the child  
  • Picture of a character or animal from a children's book (for example, you can hide a picture of a mouse and then read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie").
  • Picture of a famous or historical character (for example, Columbus) 
  • Sunday School Version:  Picture of a biblical character or symbol
• Print the information on the back of the door.  Ideas for information to go with the images:
  • Picture of the child; "I am thankful for __________".
  • Picture of a character or animal from a children's book; the title and author of the book.
  • Picture of a famous or historical character; the name and a fact about them.
  • Sunday School Version:  Picture of a biblical character or symbol; the name and quote from the bible, prayer or poem relating to them.

Tape their completed pumpkins onto the bulletin board.