First Grader’s at Pullen Elementary used a mix of print and digital resources to examine the differences between fiction and nonfiction as they read about the life cycle of a pumpkin.
Mrs. Meno, the Library Media Specialist, read “It’s Pumpkin Time” by Zoe Hall and then showed the students how to access digital books. Students utilized the National Geographic Kids database to read a nonfiction book about pumpkins. After reading both books students identified similarities and differences between realistic fiction and the nonfiction book, determining both books gave similar information about the growth of pumpkins.
Students found an interesting fact in the nonfiction book; large pumpkins are carved out and used as boats in races at some festivals. Mrs. Meno conducted a demonstration to see if there was a difference in the how a hollowed out pumpkin floats vs. an uncarved pumpkin.
Students wondered if the pumpkin would sink or float. They predicted that the hollow pumpkin would float but the uncut pumpkin would sink. They were surprised when both pumpkins floated, although the uncut pumpkin did not float as high as the hollowed out one.
