[WebJunkie]

Has anyone ever made globes from pumpkins? Any tips on how you handled this project?

["Mrs. Gorf"]

I did it quite a few years ago with my third graders. It was a lot of fun but quite messy.

I made stencils of the continents out of cardstock (folders) and had the students trace them onto their pumpkins. They painted the water blue and the land green.

I recall using tempra paint with a little dish soap so the paint would adhere and not bead up.

I was quite a site loading 50 pumpkins into my van from the front of Wal-Mart! They had the best prices around.

[teachnmomma]

I remember years ago a friend of mine did this project with her 5th graders and I remember the paint(she used the washable tempra) didn't want to "stick" and the paint started to peel off! I thought it was a great idea though! Maybe the tip from the above poster with dishsoap will solve the paint problem! Good luck!

[Kimberley]

I have done this project with 3rd and 5th grade students. Rather than paint the continents, I have them color and cut out photocopied shapes. They then draw the equator and follow step by step instructions to glue everything in the proper place. I have done large pumpkins with groups but I purchased those and it got expensive. Now I have each child bring in a smaller pumpkin and they do their own. Elmer's glue seems to be the best at keeping the paper glued down. They just have to make sure they get all of the edges. Also, in 5th grade, I had the kids draw lines of longitude and latitude. I place the finished pumpkins on heavy duty paper plates with the the kids' names then put them in the hall outside my classroom. Will see if I can attach a picture.

[MissJewer]

Kim, do you happen to have the step by step instructions written out? I'll be in a grade 4 classroom soon and I'd love to try it!
Thanks

[Kimberley]

Sorry for the delay. I don't have anything written out but I try to walk the kids through it slowly and model each step with a pumpkin of my own. The first thing I have them do is color and cut out the continents. Each of them takes a wipe and washes any excess dirt off the outside of the pumpkin. At each table I have a paper plate with some Elmer's glue and enough Q-tips for each child plus some extra. Each child also needs a permanent marker. first thing they do is draw the equator. They have to do it slowly and carefully... sometimes I have them work with a partner...one holds the pumpkin and turns it, the other draws the line. Then, I have them start with Antarctica... they put the Elmer's on the cut out right up to the edge... more is better because it dries clear. I model each continent. After the continents are on, I have them label the oceans with the sharpie marker. I place them in the hallway outside our room on paper plates just incase...
Hope this helps...
Kim