Turkey Books for Kindergarten: A Thanksgiving Feast of Stories
The leaves turn vibrant shades of red and gold, the air has a crisp chill, and the smell of fall is present. It’s time to gather ’round and celebrate the season with the best “turkey books for kindergarten.” These delightful tales are perfect for young readers. Let’s dive into this bountiful collection of turkey-themed picture books that are sure to become your students’ favorite Thanksgiving reads!
Ways To Use Turkey Books in Kindergarten To Teach Comprehension Skills
Turkey books for kindergarten offer a wonderful opportunity to not only engage young learners in the spirit of Thanksgiving but also to develop their comprehension skills. Here are some creative ways to utilize these turkey-themed tales in the classroom:
- Predicting Outcomes: Encourage students to make guesses about what might happen next in the story, fostering anticipation and engagement.
- Sequencing Events: Help students practice organizing story events in the correct order, aiding in understanding narrative structure.
- Character Exploration: Discuss the personalities and actions of different characters, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of story elements.
- Story Elements: Break down key elements of a story like setting, characters, problem, and resolution, enhancing comprehension of story structure.
- Retelling the Story: Invite students to summarize the story in their own words, reinforcing their understanding and encouraging creativity.
- Inferencing: Prompt students to make educated guesses based on the text and illustrations, fostering critical thinking.
- Comparing and Contrasting: Have students explore the differences and similarities between various turkey characters or stories, encouraging analytical thinking.
- Drawing Conclusions: Encourage students to think critically by asking them to infer characters’ motivations and identify the lessons learned in the stories.
- Vocabulary Exploration: Introduce and discuss new words from the books, promoting language development and comprehension.
By incorporating these strategies, you can turn turkey books for kindergarten into powerful tools for developing comprehension skills while immersing students in the joys of Thanksgiving storytelling.
Turkey Books For Kindergarten
It’s that time of year when November is upon us, and many teachers don’t know whether to change their classrooms over to Thanksgiving and fill their book displays with Thanksgiving-themed choices or just wait until December for winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc. If they are looking to gather up a collection of Thanksgiving books, this is a great place to start! I’ve gathered a lot of my favorite Thanksgiving books or turkey books that are perfect for the classroom.
“There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey” by Lucille Colandro
Come along with the old lady on a comical Thanksgiving adventure as she gobbles up holiday-themed items, leading to a surprising twist. This silly rhyming book is sure to have young readers giggling and guessing. It’s a perfect addition to your collection of favorite turkey books for kindergarten, adding a playful twist to the Thanksgiving theme.
“10 Fat Turkeys” by Tony Johnston
Join ten silly turkeys as they attempt a variety of hilarious and heartwarming activities in this rollicking counting book. With its silly rhyming text and whimsical illustrations, “10 Fat Turkeys” is a must-read for young learners during the Thanksgiving season.
“The Very Stuffed Turkey” by Katharine Kenah
Meet Mr. Moose and Mrs. Moose, who invite a generous turkey to their Thanksgiving dinner. As the turkey tries to impress his hosts, he discovers the true meaning of gratitude and generosity. This sweet story beautifully captures the spirit of Thanksgiving and the importance of giving thanks.
“A Plump and Perky Turkey” by Teresa Bateman
In Squawk Valley, the residents hatch a clever plan to find the perfect turkey for their Thanksgiving feast. However, they soon realize that finding the right bird isn’t as easy as they thought. This witty tale is a fun twist on the traditional Thanksgiving story and is sure to keep young readers engaged.
“Thanks for Thanksgiving” by Julie Markes
With simple text and charming illustrations, this heartwarming story celebrates the little things that make Thanksgiving special. From pumpkin pie to family traditions, “Thanks for Thanksgiving” beautifully captures the essence of this beloved holiday.
“Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade” by Melissa Sweet
While not strictly a turkey-themed book, “Balloons over Broadway” offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Readers will love the story of Tony Sarg, the artist behind the iconic parade balloons.
“The Littlest Pilgrim” by Brandi Dougherty
Follow the journey of a little girl named Mini as she experiences her first Thanksgiving and learns about the history of the holiday and the Native Americans who played a crucial role. This sweet story is a perfect introduction to the significance of Thanksgiving.
“Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff)” by Barbara Park
Through a series of hilarious essays, Barbara Park shares her experiences with turkeys, from encounters with wild turkeys to family traditions around the Thanksgiving table. This collection of Thanksgiving-themed essays is sure to have both teachers and students laughing out loud.
“Run, Turkey, Run!” by Diane Mayr
In this fast-paced and funny book, a clever turkey tries to escape the farmer’s clutches as Thanksgiving Day approaches. With its entertaining storyline and vibrant illustrations, “Run, Turkey, Run!” is sure to be a hit with young readers.
“The Ugly Pumpkin” by Dave Horowitz
While not directly about turkeys, this heartwarming story about a misunderstood pumpkin who eventually finds his place in the world is a great addition to any Thanksgiving-themed arts and crafts or lesson plans.
“Turkey Trouble” by Wendi Silvano
In this hilarious story, Turkey is on a mission to avoid becoming the main course at Thanksgiving dinner. With a clever plan, he disguises himself as a different farm animal, leading to a series of silly attempts to outsmart the family. Will Turkey’s antics save him from becoming the star of the Thanksgiving table?
Extension Activities For Turkey Books For Kindergarten
Many extension activities can add to the learning experience and the excitement from the many books listed above. Here are just a couple I have tried in my classroom throughout the years!
Thanksgiving and Fall Writing Center
Encourage fine motor skills with dough mats and practice coloring and writing on labeled pages. Display laminated picture cards in the writing area. Students can grab a writing ring and page to work on words, sentences, or stories. “This or that” pages foster opinion-sharing. These varied resources cater to all young writers, keeping them engaged all month long!
Thanksgiving Sensory Bin
Create a sensory-rich learning experience with a “Thanksgiving” sensory bin. Fill a container with sensory materials like dried corn kernels, small pumpkins, fake leaves, and feathers. Encourage students to explore the textures and shapes while discussing the items’ relevance to Thanksgiving. This hands-on activity promotes sensory development and vocabulary building.
Turkey in Disguise
In this creative activity, students get to design a disguise for a turkey to help it blend in with a different environment. Students can let their imagination run wild as they craft unique disguises such as an astronaut or a mermaid. This activity encourages critical thinking and creativity while incorporating a fun element of storytelling.
Turkey Writing Pieces
Encourage students to express themselves through turkey-themed writing pieces. Provide writing prompts related to turkeys, Thanksgiving, or their favorite turkey book. Students can create short stories, poems, or even journal entries. This activity fosters language development and creativity and reinforces comprehension of turkey-themed content.
Build a Turkey Step-by-Step Activity
Break down the process of creating a turkey into simple steps. Guide them through assembling the provided pieces to construct their own turkey. This activity not only develops fine motor skills but also reinforces following sequential instructions.
These extension activities offer a diverse range of hands-on learning experiences that complement the turkey-themed books, making the educational journey both engaging and memorable for kindergarteners.
These turkey books for kindergarten offer a cornucopia of delightful stories that will become your students’ favorite Thanksgiving reads. Whether it’s the hilarious attempts of clever turkeys or heartwarming tales of gratitude, each book brings its own flavor to the holiday season. Plus, when you pair them with an Thanksgiving or turkey activity they become even more educational and fun!
Looking for other fall activities? Check out this blog post!
