The Great Pumpkin Contest at FES

During the first week of October all classes went outside and observed two large pumpkins in the garden, named Nick and Penny. Each class was challenged with estimating the weight and number of seeds in the pumpkins. Teachers and students used scientific and mathematical observations to arrive at their estimates, which were posted on a board in the main hallway. This week Nick and Penny were weighed. We were amazed to find that their weight only differed by 1/10th of a pound! 

NICK weighed 22 pounds. Class estimates ranged from 4 to 100 pounds. The closest estimates were from Mrs. Lallemand and Mr. Rosenblum (both guessed 21 pounds).

PENNY weighed 22.1 pounds. Class estimates ranged from 6 to 99 pounds. The closest estimates were from Mrs. Voisine and Mrs. Merrifield (both guessed 22 pounds). 

Later in the month the seeds in each pumpkin will be counted and the winners will be announced on Halloween. The pictures below show the story of unique ways that teachers turned the contest into a fun learning experience.

Penny Pumpkin in the garden

4th grade students observing Nick

Class Estimates in the front hallway

Mrs. Story's class learning about pumpkins

Ms. Wheeler's 5th grade calculations

First Graders hearing a pumpkin story

Mrs. Voisine's class

Mrs. Lallemand's class

Mrs. Merrifield's class

Mr. Rosenblum's class

1st graders estimating weight

Mrs. Merrifield's students organizing the board