Jack-o-Lanterns and 5 Little Pumpkins

5 Little Pumpkins is an all-time favorite book for children at Halloween.  It is loved and easily remembered by young children.   When the book is read along with the fingerplay and props, the children easily grasp the words, rhyme, and rhythm of this early literacy activity.

Retelling the 5 Little Pumpkins – 5 Pumpkins on a gate

Materials needed: 5 Pumpkins on a gate.pdf (linked above), scissors.

Print off one gate from page 1 for each student. Print off 5 pumpkins for each child (there are 3 sets of pumpkins on page 2 in case you are working with multiple students). Laminate the pumpkins and gates for durability if desired.

After students read the book and hear the fingerplay below, they can use the pumpkins and gate pieces to recreate and retell the story on their own.

 Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.

The first one said, “Oh my it’s getting late.”

The second one said, “There are witches in the air.”

The third one said, “But we don’t care!”

The fourth one said, “Let’s run and run and run!”

The fifth one said, “I’m ready for some fun.”

―Ooooooooo‖ went the wind, and out went the light.

And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

 Extension Activity:  Take a walk outside and let the children find stones or small rocks.  Paint the rocks with orange tempera paint and let dry overnight.  Have the children draw  jack-o-lantern faces on the rocks when dry.  For younger children, assist or draw the faces for them.  Print the gate from the file linked above and tape to a shoe box lid or cereal box.  The children can use their rocks as props for the pumpkin family.  Our kids have played with the painted jack-o-lanterns over and over again.  They retell the 5 Little Pumpkins, but also use them to make up their own stories to tell to their friends and to share with our class.  Great FUN!

For MORE literacy ideas for Fall or Halloween, see the Fall Thematic Unit or see our Preschool and Kindergarten Themes for Active Learning and Play!