Pumpkin Playdough

Objectives:
a) using pumpkin-scented playdough, develop fine motor skills by forming balls (pumpkins)
b) listen and follow directions in a song

Points to Remember:
1. Make your playdough a few hours before you begin the lesson so it has time to cool
2. You do not have to make your own playdough, use store-bought playdough and add some spices if you'd like
3. Songs may be hard for a hearing impaired child, sing slowly!

Lesson:
1. Read a book about pumpkins. From Seed to Pumpkin is a great one. 2. Make pumpkins from pumpkin-scented playdough. I colored some rigatoni by soaking it in water with green food coloring for about 15 minutes. Then lay it on some paper towels to harden

3. Sing a pumpkin song such as:

5 Little Pumpkins sitting on the gate

The first one said, "Oh, my it's getting late."

The second one said, "There are witches in the air."

The third one said, "But we don't care"

The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run."

The fifth one said, "I am ready for some fun."

Oooooooo went the wind

and OUT went the light

The 5 Little Pumpkins rolled out of site.

Modifications:

1. Use a pumpkin share to review shapes, numbers or letters. Check out this blog post for an idea on letter review.

2. Make some other holiday themed playdough such as:

November--orange or brown dough with pumpkin pie spices and a turkey cutter;
December--gingerbread dough (use lots of cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves) with a gingerbread cutter OR green dough with peppermint extract and gold glitter and a tree cutter OR red dough with peppermint extract and gold glitter and a candy cane cutter.