November ushers in the start of my absolute favorite time of the year, which includes holiday traditions with family and fun holiday themed classroom lessons! I can't help but pull out all of the turkey themed activities in November, and this turkey lesson and craft is the perfect way to learn or review verbs! It includes an engaging read aloud, an interactive anchor chart, and a turkey craft that students can make to write action words to help a turkey avoid being Thanksgiving dinner. Be sure to download the free "Turkey Verbs" printable HERE.
Before teaching the lesson, you will want to make the background for the "Turkey Verbs" anchor chart. Glue the DIY Turkey Bulletin Board Set to a piece of black bulletin board paper. The set comes with 24 feathers, but I only attached 11. You can use as many as you'd like! Then, use Carson-Dellosa® Black & Yellow Uppercase Bulletin Board Letters to make the "Turkey Verbs" title at the top of the chart. Hang up the chart on the board or a classroom wall, but make sure it's easily accessible so that you can write on it with your students.
Begin the lesson by reading the book Run, Turkey, Run by Diane Mayr. It's an absolutely adorable story about a turkey that is trying to find a place to hide from the farmer so that he doesn't become Thanksgiving dinner! The saying "Run, Turkey, Run!" occurs throughout the book. Be sure to have the kids help you read this part.
After the story, talk about how verbs are action words. Have students identify the verb that is in the title. Tell students that it is their job to help brainstorm more verbs that could help the turkey get away from the farmer and avoid becoming the main dish of a feast. Let students brainstorm ideas as partners first, then write down the verbs they came up with on the feathers of the "Turkey Verbs" anchor chart (example: run, fly, walk, jump, swim, hop, etc.). You can even have them stand up and act out the verbs as you brainstorm them to demonstrate how verbs are action words!
After the lesson, students will go back to their seats to make their own turkey verbs craft! Have them each assemble the Paper Bag Turkey Puppet Craft Kit. The beautiful part of this kit is that all of the pieces are self-adhesive and come in individual kits for students. Talk about a teacher's dream!!
Have students glue the "Turkey Verbs" sign onto the turkey's belly on the bag and use a permanent marker to write verbs on each of the five wings. Be sure to download the "Turkey Verbs" sign for free HERE.
Students can have fun practicing verbs by using their puppets in partners and telling the turkey to "Hide, Turkey, Hide!" or "Jump, Turkey, Jump!" What a fun way to incorporate turkeys into the classroom while learning about verbs!
