Bring some holiday fun into the classroom with a simple Thanksgiving-inspired reading exercise! Below is a Thankgiving book and a 5W's & 1H reading graphic organizer I use each November with my grades 2–4 students.
A few years ago a good friend and fellow teacher introduced me to a great Thanksgiving book and I have been using it with my students ever since. A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman is the hilarious story of Pete (a plump and perky turkey). The citizens of Squawk Valley find themselves without a turkey for their Thanksgiving feast. They figure out a way to trick a turkey into coming back to town, by advertising for a "model" turkey to pose during an arts-and-crafts fair. They plan to eat the bird when they've finished their artwork. But what they don't plan on is Pete... a very clever turkey who outsmarts everyone!
After reading the book we complete my Mr. Turkey 5W's and 1H Graphic Organizer. This is a graphic organizer that I use during November with my students. I enlarge the template to poster size (it can also be drawn on chart paper) and leave it hanging as an example for the students to refer back to throughout the month.
Now for the fun! The characters in A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman use many different types of materials (potatoes, clay, rope, oatmeal, paper, soap, etc.) to make their turkeys for the arts-and-crafts fair. I tell my students they will be making a turkey of their own. I have plenty of materials (wallpaper scraps, construction paper, fabric, paint, glitter, etc.) for making the turkeys. I encourage all my students to let their creative juices flow while creating their personal turkey. Finally, all the turkeys are displayed around the classroom for everyone to admire.
Get started with this Thanksgiving reading exercise and art activity. Download my Mr. Turkey 5W's and 1H Graphic Organizer now.