Materials
pumpkin-shaped objects or decorations
small, real pumpkin
balance scale
candy corn (optional)
Instructions
1. Gather an assortment of pumpkin-shaped objects or decorations in a
variety of materials, such as candle, wood, plastic, rubber, resin, cloth, and
so on.
2. Introduce the balance scale. Use the real pumpkin and the pumpkinshaped
items in different combinations to balance each other. It will
surprise children that a big pumpkin might weigh less than a small one.
Explain that size and weight don't always agree.
3. If desired, add pieces of candy corn, one at a time, to the lighter side of
the scale to create balance. Encourage children to guess how much they
need to add.
More to do More Math: Line up children by height and then by age. Is the tallest child
the oldest child? Probably not. Explain why to the children.
Language: Expand their vocabulary. Explain that the word biggest is not as
accurate as oldest, tallest, heaviest, and so on.
