This is a perfect Halloween math lesson plan: estimating with pumpkin seeds

Math

Estimating With Pumpkin Seeds

Melissa Stout

Pumpkin Seed Count

Do you know how many seeds are inside the pumpkin? Follow these steps to find out.

1.Each member of the team will estimate the number of seeds inside the pumpkin.

   NAME                                    GUESS
_________________                       ____________________
_________________                       ____________________
_________________                       ____________________
_________________                       ____________________
_________________                       ____________________
  

2.Lift the stem off the pumpkin. Begin taking the seeds out. Your hands will get dirty, so be sure to pull your sleeves up! Be sure all seeds stay on the table.

3.Next, count all of the seeds inside your pumpkin. Be sure you get them all. You may want to consider putting the seeds into groups of 5 or 10 to make counting easier for your team.

4.Now, total the amount of seeds collected. Use a calculator to double check your total.

5.Our pumpkin had this amount of seeds __________________.

6.The team member that had the closest estimate was ______________.

7.Congratulations!!! You did a terrific job of estimating how many seeds were inside the pumpkin.

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