#452. Watermelon - One Day Theme

other, level: Elementary
Posted Mon May 25 21:58:31 PDT 1998 by Elaine Magud (magud@inreach.com).
Watermelons
Joshua Cowell School, Manteca, Ca.
Materials Required: see each activity
Activity Time: two hours
Concepts Taught: math, English language dev, science, social studies, fine arts

Watermelon Theme Day

Overview of Activities:
1. estimate circumference
2. estimate number of seeds
3. complete watermelon color book
4. complete Willy Watermelon puppet
5. sponge paint watermelons
6. eat watermelon -save those seeds!
7. confirm predictions
8 watermelon prints using rind.

ACTIVITIES
1. ESTIMATE CIRCUMFERENCE (math)

MATERIALS: watermelon, scissors, string, chart ( contains these three phrases:
too long, just right, too short). masking tape.

PROCEDURE: each student estimates the circumference of the watermelon by
cutting a length of string they estimate to be the
right size. Place a piece of masking tape on the estimate with the students
name. Fit the piece of string around the watermelon and confirm the
prediction. Place the string on the proper portion of the chart with another
piece of tape. When all of the predictions have been made and confirmed
discuss the chart. How many were too long, too short, just right? You can also
count by 5's using the strings across the chart.

2.ESTIMATE NUMBER OF SEEDS.(math)

MATERIALS: watermelon, chart or white board, writing instrument. Plates and
cutting tools, portion cups.

PROCEDURE: show the students the watermelon. Discuss watermelons and
seed. Elicit experiential conversation from students. Have each student
estimate the number of seeds s/he thinks are in the watermelon. Write down
the estimates. Confirm predictions: open the watermelon and eat. Have
students save the seeds by counting them into portion cups (10 seeds per cup).
Whole class - counting by tens to confirm estimations of seeds. Save seeds.

3.WATERMELON BOOK: (English Language Development., science..social
studies, fine motor skills)

MATERIALS: Willy Watermelon Book copied for each student. Crayons.
(Book found on internet at: www.watermelon.org)

PROCEDURE: read color book to students and discuss how plants grow and how
food gets to the market. Students color their book.

4. WATERMELON PUPPET:(English language development, dramatic play, fine
arts, fine motor skills.)

MATERIALS: paper sandwich bags, glue, crayons, scissors, blackline of Willy
Watermelon (found at www.watermelon.org)

PROCEDURE: students color the watermelon, cut out, and glue to paper bag to
make a bag puppet.

5. SPONGE PAINT WATERMELONS:( English language development, following
directions, fine motor skills, fine arts.)

MATERIALS: white paper plates cut in half. One half for each student.
Sponges ( cheapo sponge cut into square shapes). Red, white, and green
tempera paint. newspaper to cover tables, pencil or marker to put name on
plate. Glue and watermelon seeds.

PROCEDURE: show students sample of watermelon. Discuss the layers of color
found in a watermelon. Model how to use sponges. Students create their
watermelon. When dry... give students seeds to glue onto plate.

6. EAT WATERMELON: (English language development, science, math, fine arts,
small motor skills)

MATERIALS: watermelon, knife for cutting, plates, napkins, portion cups for
seeds, graph ( yes or no - who likes watermelon)

PROCEDURE: teacher cuts up watermelon, showing the class what it looks like
inside. Discussion about colors. Predictions about seeds discussed. Students
eat watermelon saving seeds in portion cups ( 10 seeds per cup). Graph which
students like watermelons and those that don't - discuss graph using
vocabulary of more/less)

7. CONFIRMING PREDICTIONS: (Math)

MATERIALS: portion cups containing 10 seeds each.

PROCEDURE: count by 10 using the portion cups. Confirm estimation of number
of seeds.

8. WATERMELON PRINTS: ( Fine Arts)

MATERIALS: white construction paper, green, red, black tempera paint,
watermelon rinds,

PROCEDURE: students dip rinds into paint and print on paper.