The Great Pumpkin: Weight of Select World-Record Pumpkins
graph from Dynamath; slow reveal by Jenna Laib
Type of Graph: bar graph
Purpose
This slow reveal is designed to support analysis and discussion of both the data and the design choices. The questions in the slide deck invite learners to examine trends, relationships, and possible interpretations. This graph invites students to estimate and compare values, deal with large numbers, consider how the data was collected, and predict trends for the future. A handout asks students to graph data up through 2026.
(Slide deck includes notes and questions to elicit discourse)
(Handout includes follow-up activity for students about adding data)
(Alternate handout asks students to estimate values currently on the graph.)
About This Graph
This visualization is not provided for reuse or redistribution. Readers and educators are encouraged to view the original visualization in its published context.
Visualization Source: DynaMath, “Creepy Carvings and Data.” (October 2020)
Data Source: GiantPumpkin.com
Paired Texts and Sites:
- GiantPumpkin.com — check out the data here!
- BigPumpkins.com
- Rothman, Lily. “The Great Pumpkin Race: Inside the world of farmers and dreamers who live to grow giant gourds.”
- Rothman, Lily. “The Culture.” Time Magazine, October 16, 2014.
- Umholtz, Katelyn. “Giant pumpkin grown in Mattapan community garden draws attention at Vermont weigh-in.” The Boston Globe, September 20, 2023.
- There are a lot of social media videos about growing giant pumpkins now! Go down the rabbit hole.
In The Classroom
There are many different mathematical connections that can be made to this data and data visualization.
Potential Math Content: bar graphs, estimating values, understanding categories along the x-axis, scale along the y-axis
Potential Content Connections: seasonal, agricultural, geography, weather (why was 2015 omitted?)
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