Pumpkins

Each year, in Half Moon Bay, California, pumpkin growers from across the country gather for the great Weigh Off!  Considered the “Super Bowl” for pumpkin farmers, prizes are awarded for the top 10 heaviest pumpkins.

 Early Childhood

Estimate how many seeds are inside a pumpkin.  Is your estimate more or less than 100?  More or less than 150?  More or less than 200?  Use a number line to solve.

Upper Elementary

Each pumpkin is carefully weighed on a 5-ton capacity scale.  What is the total weight capacity, in pounds of the scale?  Write a matching equation to show your thinking.

Middle School

The first prize pumpkin is awarded $6 per pound.  Second prize is always awarded $2,000.  How heavy would the first prize pumpkin need to be to win more than the second place contestant?  Show how you know.Last year, the first place winner was a 1,985 lb. pumpkin, claiming the first place prize and an extra $30,000 prize for setting the world record.  How much was the grower’s total prize?

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Featured Websites:

Early Childhood: A Pumpkin Unit

Upper Elementary: Pumpkin Project 

Middle School: Pump Up the Curriculum with Pumpkins