Whether you are looking for a way to incorporate the pumpkins you picked up at the pumpkin patch into an activity or simply want to create a seasonal project for the classroom, a pumpkin book report puts a fun spin on this classroom classic. Pumpkins are pretty much head shaped and portable enough to carry, so basing the report on a favorite (or important) character makes the decorating a snap.
How to Create a Pumpkin Book Report Activity
Send information home outlining the project, types of books that can be used and the rubric you’ll use for grading. Parent buy-in is a must for this project, since many of the components will be completed at home.
Include not only the ideal size of the pumpkin (easy enough for kids to carry) but also some decorating guidelines for kids to follow. Things to consider when planning your project include:
- Will you allow carving or is this a strictly surface design project? (Uncarved)
- What genre or types of books will you allow?
- How should the pumpkin be decorated and how many materials should be used?
- What is the written component requirement?
- How will the pumpkins be displayed or presented to class?
Include directions for completing both the pumpkin decorating and the written report. Ask kids to choose a book from a list you’ve provided or from a specific genre. Have them choose a character that represents the book and decorate it using paint, paper, markers and embellishments. Include a written component that poses a few of the following questions:
- How would you describe your character/pumpkin?
- What does this character do in the story?
- Do you like this character? Why? Why not?
- My favorite part of this book was?
Modify the questions to meet your particular classroom needs. The nicest thing about this project is that it can be used by pretty much any age group. Early elementary kids can decorate a pumpkin following illustrations in a favorite book, while older kids can create a visual interpretation of a character they have read about but not seen. Complete this project by displaying the finished pieces in a central location in the classroom or school to show them off.
Need more inspiration? Check out this awesome board on Pinterest!
