Pumpkin Nonfiction Read Aloud Guide
Unit 3 • Lesson 1 Kindergarten / Grade 1 Literacy
Genre: Informational Non-Fiction
Read Aloud: Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie
By Jill Esbaum (National Geographic Kids) • Focus: Analyzing Real Photographs for Factual Evidence
30 Min Plan
Core Objectives (SWBAT)
- Define Non-Fiction: A book that gives us real information.
- Define Fact: Something that can be proven true.
- Cite Evidence: Name facts learned and prove them using photographic details.
Standards & Bottom Line
RI.K.2: Main topic & key details • RL.K.5 / RL.1.5: Distinguish informational texts from stories.
Bottom Line: Good readers inspect the photograph and read the words to discover and prove real facts.
Teacher Content Notes: Picture Evidence Priority
In this unit, students must move beyond broad guessing to closely analyze photographic clues. When scholars claim a book is non-fiction or state a fact, they must ground their reasoning in visible photograph details (e.g., real dirt, genuine seeds, camera lens perspective, authentic children rather than drawings).
1
Opening & Hook (7 Minutes)
Whole Group
Step 1: Hook & Schema Activation
TW say: "Think about autumn. One of the most famous autumn vegetables grows on a big vine in a patch. What do you already know about pumpkins?" (Call on 1–2 scholars; quickly affirm real-world experiences).
Step 2: Cover Preview (Detective Eyes)
TW say: "Let's preview our text. Look at the FRONT COVER of Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie. Look at the boy with his arms wrapped around that giant orange pumpkin! On the BACK COVER, I see real sliced pumpkin and glistening seeds. Notice something special: these are NOT cartoon drawings. These are REAL photographs taken by a camera!"
Step 3: Non-Fiction Text Rollout & 3-Step Strategy
TW say: "Today we learn a powerful word: Non-Fiction. Repeat after me: Non-Fiction! (Choral). A non-fiction text is a book that teaches you real information!"
TW introduce the 3-Step Non-Fiction Strategy:
1. Look at the Pictures
2. Read the Words
3. Ask: What does it teach?
CFU Check: "What is a non-fiction text?" (A book that teaches real information)
100% Choral
Unit 3: Non-Fiction Reading Comprehension Page 1 of 3
Instructional Reading Pathway Text: Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie by Jill Esbaum
2
I Do: Teacher Modeling (8 Minutes)
Explicit Modeling
Pages 2–5: Seeds in the Soil & Tiny Sprouts Step-by-Step Model
Teacher Think-Aloud: "Watch how I use my 3 steps. Step 1: Look at the picture. In this real photo, I see moist dark brown soil and a flat, oval white seed cracking open. Step 2: Read the words. 'In spring, a seed is tucked into warm soil. Soon, a green sprout pops up.' Step 3: Ask: Is this teaching me real information? Yes! It is teaching me that pumpkins start as small white seeds and grow into green sprouts."
Evidence Anchor: "I know this is a fact because the camera photo shows the exact shape of a real pumpkin seed!"
Pages 6–9: Big Leaves, Prickly Vines & Yellow Blossoms Fact Verification
Teacher Think-Aloud: "Let's check again. Step 1: In the photo, I see fuzzy prickly green leaves and a giant yellow flower shaped like a trumpet. Step 2: 'Vines creep across the ground. Golden blossoms unfold in the sun.' Step 3: What is this teaching? It teaches that pumpkin vines grow yellow flowers before pumpkins appear!"
CFU: "What 3 steps did I use to find this fact?" Look at photo • Read words • Ask what it teaches
3
We Do: Guided Practice & Visual Evidence (15 Minutes)
Partner Turn-and-Talks
Pages 10–13: Green to Orange Growth
Prompt: "Look at the photo under the flower blossom. What color is the tiny baby pumpkin?"
Scholars say: "It is green and small!"
Fact Learned: Pumpkins start green and turn orange as they ripen in the autumn sun.
Pages 14–17: Inside the Pumpkin Anatomy
Prompt: "Look at the sliced pumpkin photo. What parts do you see inside?"
Scholars say: "Hard rind, orange pulp, stringy fibers, and white seeds!"
Fact Learned: Inside a pumpkin is gooey pulp and lots of seeds.
Pages 18–21: Different Shapes Variety
Prompt: "Are all pumpkins round and orange? Look closely at the photo."
Scholars say: "No! Some are bumpy, white, flat, or tall like pears!"
Fact Learned: Pumpkins come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.
Pages 22–26: Autumn Harvest Uses
Prompt: "What are the real children in the photos doing with pumpkins?"
Scholars say: "Carving faces, roasting seeds, and baking pumpkin pie!"
Fact Learned: People harvest pumpkins in fall to eat and make decorations.
Partner Turn & Talk Prompt: "Turn to your partner: Point to one clue in the photo that proves this is a real fact."
Unit 3: Non-Fiction Reading Comprehension Page 2 of 3
Scaffolding, Differentiation & Assessment Responsive Teaching Toolkit
Lesson Closing & Retell Synthesis (5 Minutes)
TW say: "We just read Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie. Let's prove we learned real facts! Who can name one fact we learned about how pumpkins grow, and tell us the picture that proved it?"
Retell Summary Prompt: "Pumpkins start as seeds, grow into vines and flowers, turn into green pumpkins, and finally become orange pumpkins."
Genre Distinction Check: "Is this story pretend like a talking pumpkin cartoon, or non-fiction with real information? How do we know?" (Photographs show real life!).
Most Productive Struggles & Teacher Pivots
Gap 1: Scholar gives an opinion or outside story instead of photo details. Visual Evidence Gap
Example: Scholar says, "Pumpkins are scary on Halloween!" instead of describing the physical pumpkin.
Teacher Pivot: "Put your detective magnifying glass on the page. Point your finger directly to the photo. Tell me only what your eyes see right here in this picture."
Gap 2: Scholar struggles to connect photo clues to a learned fact. Fact Deduction Gap
Example: Scholar names items ("I see dirt and yellow") but cannot state what fact it teaches.
Teacher Pivot: "I am going to re-read the words on this page. Listen: 'Golden blossoms unfold.' What does the yellow flower tell us about how a pumpkin starts growing?"
Anchor Chart Blueprint: The Non-Fiction Detective
Classroom Signage
📷 Real Photos
Taken with a camera. Shows real children, real plants, and true colors.
💡 Real Facts
Information that can be proven true in nature. Teaches us how things work.
🔍 Picture Clues
Good readers look closely at the details to prove what they learned!
During-Reading Observational Tracker
Mastery (Level 3): Identifies book as non-fiction, states a specific pumpkin fact, and points to photograph evidence.
Approaching (Level 2): States a fact from memory but needs prompting to point to evidence in the photograph.
Needs Support (Level 1): Guesses fictional elements or gives personal opinion unrelated to the text details.
Unit 3: Non-Fiction Reading Comprehension Page 3 of 3
Pumpkin Nonfiction Anchor Chart
Kindergarten Reading Anchor Chart
Fiction vs. Non-Fiction
How do we know if our pumpkin book is REAL or PRETEND?
🎃 The Big Pumpkin Test: Look at the Clues! 🔍
Gives Information NON-FICTION ✓ IT IS REAL!
Real Photos Taken with a camera. Shows real children and true plants!
True Facts Teaches real things that can be proven true in nature.
Real World Real dirt, real pumpkin vines, seeds, and flowers.
Pumpkin Fact Example:
"Pumpkins grow from small white seeds tucked in the dirt."
Tells a Story FICTION ★ IT IS PRETEND!
Drawn Pictures Drawn by an artist or illustrator. Cartoons & paintings.
Make-Believe Made-up characters, imaginary adventures, and magic.
Talking Pumpkins Pumpkins wearing shoes, singing, or turning into carriages!
Pretend Story Example:
"The pumpkin put on a silly hat and sang a happy song!"
Ask Yourself: Can this really happen in nature, or is it made-up?
Detective Rule
📷
Real (Non-Fiction) Camera eyes on photo!
✨
Pretend (Fiction) Wiggle magic fingers!
Classroom Memory Rhyme
"Non-fiction is REAL and true! Fiction is PRETEND for you!"
