Part of the Florida Geographic Alliance's collection of lesson plans.

PUMPKIN GLOBE

CHERYL CHASTAIN

Time: 2 days (1-2 hours per day)

Geographic Theme

Regions and Location

Purpose

To create a model of the Earth

Objectives

To identify longitude and latitude on maps and globes to create a globe using a pumpkin

Materials

• world maps and globes
• pumpkins (one per group)
• tag board patterns of the continents
• tempera paint

Procedures

Day 1

1. Discuss longitude and latitude. Point out examples on the world map and the globe.
2. Question the students (can be made into a game) about using world maps to locate longitude and latitude. Example: Where is 95 degrees North longitude and 30 degrees West latitude? Houston, Texas.
3. Divide the globe into hemispheres (north, south/east, west) and discuss the placement of the continents.

Day 2

1. Review longitude, latitude, hemispheres, and continents.
2. Divide the students into groups.
3. Hand out one pumpkin per group, pattern, and paint.
4. Divide the pumpkin into hemispheres using the vertical lines on the pumpkin as the longitude lines.
5. Place patterns in the appropriate hemispheres. Trace continents.
6. Paint continents. Let dry for 1 hour.
7. Paint the bodies of water. Let dry overnight.

Extensions

• Display in school media center.
• Compare and contrast pumpkins to globes.

Part of the Florida Geographic Alliance's collection of lesson plans.