By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Students in a couple of Pre-K 3 classes didn’t mind getting their hands dirty in the spirit of learning.
Under the guidance of Union City Elementary School teachers Kursten Osborne and Halle Lively, the young students recently completed a study of the five senses by making ‘pumpkin volcanoes.’
After learning about the taste, smell, and feel of pumpkins, they removed the insides and seeds of the fruit and created a ‘volcano’ by pouring vinegar and baking soda into the pumpkin base.
Students also learned teamwork during the practice as they worked in small groups while taking turns and pouring the ingredients into the pumpkins.
The classes completed art projects, listened to a number of mini-lessons, and learned several songs during the study. They even discussed how some of them had tasted the seeds and pumpkin pie.
“I loved watching the excitement on their faces during activities like these,” Orsborne said. “Knowing they are also learning while having fun is so rewarding for me as a teacher.”
Lively echoed those thoughts and spoke of the benefits of such class-involved activities.
“Our biggest goal is to make their learning experiences memorable and meaningful,” she insisted. “They learn so much more when they have hands-on experience and explore with each other.”