Build Background
Ask students to visualize a pumpkin in their mind and think about how they would describe the look, feel, and smell of a pumpkin. Invite students to share their descriptions. Explain that pumpkins can be used in many ways. Encourage students to suggest ways pumpkins can be used. 

Discuss poetry's rhymes and rhythms. Read the title, Peter Pumpkin Picker. Ask students to come up with words that rhyme with words such as fall and sweet (fall, all, wall; sweet, eat, meat). Write these words on the board. Explain that rhyming poetry follows a beat based on syllables. 

Preview the Poem
Show students the front and back covers of the book. Discuss the pictures. Turn to the title page. Discuss the picture and the information on the page (title, author's name, illustrator's name). Ask students to explain why Peter is known as the pumpkin picker and what he might do with the pumpkins he picks. Explain that remembering what students already know about pumpkins will help them understand the poem as you read. 

Explain to students that in this poem, the second and fourth sentences contain rhyming words at the end. Read the first page and ask students to tell you the two rhyming words at the end of the sentences (fall and all). 

During Reading
Have students listen as you read the poem. Tell them to clap or raise their hands whenever they hear the second word of a rhyming pair. Read the book expressively and emphasize the words that rhyme in each pair of sentences.  

Use think-aloud strategies to remind students to use what they already know about pumpkins and their uses to help make sense of the poem. React to parts of the poem with facial expressions and gestures. Allow students to stop and ask questions during reading, especially if they do not understand something. 

After Reading
Reader Response
Ask students what they thought of the poem. Have volunteers summarize the poem or name their favorite part. 

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the poem.

• What uses did Peter have for pumpkins? Use context and picture clues to support your answer.
• What was Peter's solution when he discovered there were no more pumpkins?
• Which season ended the story? What story clues support this answer?