A pumpkin with a smiling face carved into it
Shutterstock.com

The Great Pumpkin

Carve out some time to learn about this fall favorite!

From the October/November 2019 Issue
Other Key Skills: reading for information, evaluating

This infographic was originally published in the October/November 2019 issue.

Activities (4)
Answer Key (1)
Activities (4) Download All Activities
Answer Key (1)
Can't-Miss Teaching Extras

How did people start carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns? This Wonderopolis article explains the Irish legend behind the Halloween tradition. 

Prepare to be wowed by this fascinating time-lapse video of a giant pumpkin growing to a whopping 636 pounds!

More About the Story

Skills

reading for information, evaluating    

Complexity Factors

Purpose

The infographic provides a range of facts about pumpkins.   

Structure

Information is presented using text, text boxes, images, numbers, and a map.

Language

The language is mainly conversational but includes some wordplay (the expression “carve out some time”).

Knowledge Demands 

The infographic refers to Ireland, India, and Antarctica. It also mentions large numbers, such as 1.5 billion.   

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

1. Reading and Discussing 

Project the infographic as students follow along in their magazines.

Prompt students to use the headline, subhead, and central image to identify the topic of the infographic.

Ask: Is the purpose of the infographic to

  • explain something to you?
  • convince you of something?
  • tell you how to do something?

Have students look over the labels and images surrounding the central image. Ask:

  • How are they related to the central image? (They provide details about the main idea.)

Break students into groups to read each section of the infographic and discuss what they find interesting, surprising, or convincing.

Come back together as a class and ask volunteers to summarize the main idea and supporting details from the infographic.

2. Writing

Preview the writing prompt in the “Write to Win” box.

Download and distribute the guided-writing activity that goes along with the infographic.

Have students respond to the writing prompt. If you wish, send their responses to our infographic contest.

Ideas to Engage and Inspire

Have students create their own infographics! Download our “Make Your Own Infographic” activity from Storyworks Digital.

Text-to-Speech