Fibonacci's Sequence using pumpkins in the classroom.
How did you pick your pumpkin to bring to class?
How many deep ridges does your pumpkin have?
What do you think your pumkin weight?
How many seed do you think your pumpkin will have inside?
How tall do you think your pumkin is?
What do you think the circumference of your pumpkin might be?
We will demonstrate how the deep ridges in a pumpkin indicates the postion in Fibonacci's sequence for which there will be approximately that number of fully developed white seeds in the pumpkin. For example, if there are 13 ridges on the pumpkin, there will be approximately 233 seeds in the pumpkin.
A pumpkin
You will need a pumpkin for each group of students.
A knife for the teacher
The teacher will cut open the top of the pumpkin so the students will be able to count the seeds.
Trash bags
I cut open and spread out a trash bag for each group to contain the mess .
The sequence
The sequence is developed by adding the two previous position numbers to get the next position:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610,...
Tape measure
I provide each group with a cloth tape measure. You could use yarn and then measure the yarn with a yardstick.
Scale
Weigh each pumpkin.
Story writing
Use the pumpkin story page to write a story about your pumpkin. Brainstorm ideas for the class to begin their stories.
Cut trash bags to protect your floor. Spread out the desks so each small group will have a working space.
Divide the class into groups of 4-6.
Cut the top off the pumpkin so the children will be able to pull out all the seeds.
Count the deep ridges on your pumpkin. Remember to only count the deep ones! Use the sequence to decide approximately how many seeds your pumpkin will have.
Sequence:
1,1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, ...
Now comes the fun! Put your hand right in that pumpkin and pull out all the seeds and other fun stuff. Make piles of seeds. Discuss the possible number you might put in each of your piles to make the final counting easier. Hint: Piles of 10, 50, 100?
Use the graph provided to list each groups pumpkin, their estimate of seed count and the actual seed count.
Each group should estimate the weight of their pumpkin. Then weigh their pumpkin and add to the chart provided.
Estimate the circumference of your pumpkin. Write on the graph provided. Now use the tape measure or your yarn to get the actual circumference of your pumpkin. Write this information on the graph next to the estimate.
Estimate the height of your pumpkin. Write the estimate on the graph provided. Now use your tape measure or yarn to get the actual height and record this information on the graph.
This is really fun activity but will take some time. I spend about two hours on this project. I use a big block of time on a Friday afternoon. I try not to have a group larger than 4-6 students.
We spend one two hour period on this project.
This is really fun activity but will take some time. I spend about two hours on this project. I use a big block of time on a Friday afternoon. I try not to have a group larger than 4-6 students.
This is really fun activity but will take some time. I spend about two hours on this project. I use a big block of time on a Friday afternoon. I try not to have a group larger than 4-6 students.
Please enter a Registration Key to continue.