LITERACY... POEMS...SONGS...
FOUR IDEAS FOR PROGRAM COOKBOOKS...
IDEA # 1
Have the children write or dictate their own recipes for a Thanksgiving feast. Write each recipe on a large index card and ask them to illustrate their recipes. Then mount the recipe cards below the pictures.
IDEA # 2 (Similar to #1)
Give each child a clip-art decorated page and have them write or dictate their favorite recipe (from their perspective) and compile all into a "center cook book". You will come out with a very humorous book!
IDEA #3
You could also put the recipes together and make a "Class Book" to display at your parents' center.
IDEA #4
Ask each child to bring a favorite "real" Thanksgiving Family recipe from home. Compile all and make a cookbook for each family!
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TURKEY DAY WISH...
This would be really cute for your November Newsletter (October if you live in Canada) or posted at your 'Info Center'. It could also be said at your Turkey-Day table!!!
May your stuffing be tasty,
May your Turkey be plump...
May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious,
May your pies take the prize...
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.
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FIVE LITLE TURKEYS #1
5 little turkeys were standing by a door...
One saw some corn, and then there were four.
Run, Run, Run far away. Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day!
4 little turkeys flew up in a tree...
One fell down and then there were three.
Run, Run, Run far away. Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day!
3 little turkeys gobbled as they do...
A dog chased one and then there were two.
Run, Run, Run far away. Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day!
2 little turkeys strutting in the sun...
The wind came along and then there was one.
Run, Run, Run far away. Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day!
1 little turkey saw a farmer come; He ran far away and then there were NONE!
FIVE LITTLE TURKEYS #2
Five little turkeys standing at the door,
One waddled off, and then there were four.
Four little turkeys sitting near a tree,
One waddled off,and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
One waddled off, and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the morning sun,
One waddled off, and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away,
For soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.
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THE TURKEY
The turkey is a funny bird
Its head goes bobble-bobble...
And all he knows is just one word...
And that is GOBBLE-GOBBLE!
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Love this idea from lilteacher... DISGUISED TURKEYS!
Children took home a copy of a plain turkey. The fun was to disguise the turkey in a creative manner! If you're concerned that parents in your program are in the mist of time-challenge constraints--form groups of 2 to 4 children to come up with their own version of a "Disguised Turkey"! Create a wonderful display with their vision!
Put names of the 'Turkey" under the creations. Example: Gramma Turkey, Santa Turkey, Superman, etc.
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ALBUQUERQUE TURKEY SONG
(Sung to tune of: My Darlin Clementine)
Albuquerque is a turkey
And he's feathered and he's fine...
And he wobbles and he gobbles
And he's absolutely mine!
He's the best pet you can get yet
Better than a dog or cat
He's my Albuquerque turkey
And I'm awfully proud of that!
And my Albuquerque turkey
Is so happy in his bed-
'Cause for our Thanks-giving Dinner...
We have spaghetti innnnn-stead
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Instead of the Hokey Pokey Dance--do THE TURKEY JERKY
You put your right wing in, you put your right wing out,
You put your right wing in, and you gobble all about.
You do the turkey jerky and you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.
Next would be:
Left wing
Drumsticks
Head
Tail feathers
Turkey body
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LYRICS TO 'OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS'...
Over the river and through the wood
To Grandfather's house we go.
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the wood --
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.
Over the river and through the wood
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring,
Ting-a-ling-ling!
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!
Over the river and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go
Extremely slow --
It is so hard to wait!
Over the river and through the wood --
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurray for the pumpkin pie!
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TURKEY QUIZ & DISCUSSION--HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?
The turkey is one of the most famous birds in North America. In fact, Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey, not the Bald Eagle, the national bird of the United States!
1. What is a male turkey called?
2. What is female turkey called?
3. What is a baby turkey called?
4. Where will you find the turkey's wattle?
5. What is a Gizzard?
6. Where and what are the turkey's caruncles?
7. Where is the turkey's snood?
8. How big are wild turkeys? (How tall and average weight)
9. How many babies do turkeys have?
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS...
1. A male turkey is called a Tom or a Gobbler.
2. A female turkey is called a hen.
3. A poult is a baby turkey.(A chick)
When the poults hatch, they flock with their mother all year including the winter).
After the turkey begins to grow--A young male turkey is called a "jake" and a young female is called a "jenney."
4. A Wattle is the flap of skin under the turkey's chin. It turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship.
5. A Gizzard is part of a bird's stomach that contains tiny stones. It helps them grind up food for digestion.
6. The caruncle is the growth of skin that dangle from the turkey's chin--the throat region. It turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship.
7. The snood is the growth of skin that droops over the gobbler's bill. (The flap of skin that hangs over the turkey's beak) It turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship.
8. Wild turkeys are about 3 to 4 feet tall.
The male turkey weighs between 16 and 24 pounds and the female is smaller and only weighs between eight and 10 pounds.
9. A turkey hen lays an average of eight to 17 eggs. She lays them one at a time in a nest built on the ground. After several weeks when all the eggs have been laid, she begins to sit on them to incubate, or keep them warm. After 28 days the eggs are ready to hatch.
OTHER FUN FACTS...
Wild turkeys can run fast---up to 25 miles per hour. They can also fly up to 50 miles per hour. In the right conditions (still and quiet), a turkey's gobble caan be heard up to one mile away!
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Check out the Category with Thanksgiving Jokes!
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TURKEY-FEST! 
HAVE A PROGRAM THANKSGIVING POTLUCK BUFFET
1.) Weeks ahead---Post and hand-out a save-the date. Invite parents to attend and have them sign up to bring in foods traditional to Thanksgiving such as:
Turkey, sweet potatoes, vegetables, applesauce, pies, fruits, etc.
2.) Estimate the amounts you will need and put out a sign-up sheet with how much you'll need.
Example-
Pies: Salads
1. ____________ 1.__________________
2. ____________ 2. __________________
3. ____________ 3. __________________
4. ___________
5. _____________
3.) Parents then sign up for their choice. Be sure to tell them to bring their contribution ready to go and serve!
Have the center provide juice, water, sturdy plates, napkins and utensils.
4.) Time is short for us all; however, there are so many good food stores that make excellent turkey breast, chicken pieces, potatoes, fruit, etc. Tell families their contribution does not need to be home-made!
5.) For the feast, have children make THEMED-PLACE MATS and decorations the weeks before the event! Give all a role in the fun celebration!
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TURKEY TALES...
• I KNOW AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A PIE... by Alison Jackson, Judith Byron Schachner (Illustrator)
Great twist of the classic - I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. I know an old lady who swallowed a pie, a Thanksgiving pie, which was really too dry. And with that the feast begins! After the pie the old lady swallows a whole squash, all of the salad, and the entire turkey! As Mother and Father watch in shock, the two children are delighted to see the old lady growing fatter and fatter. And, in the end, the old lady makes a surprising and humorous contribution to the holiday festivities.
• IN NOVEMBER...by Cynthia Rylant, Jill Kastner (Illustrator)
In November, the air grows cold and the earth and all of its creatures prepare for winter. Animals seek food and shelter. And people gather together to celebrate their blessings with family and friends. This book is a great resource to share at Thanksgiving time, as it honors family traditions of this seasonal month.
• THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING... by Natasha Wing, Tammie Lyon (Illustrator)
A creative spin on the Clement C. Moore classic, The Night Before Thanksgiving is a warm, whimsical celebration of everyone's favorite fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled holiday! Follow along as the feast is prepared, cousins are greeted, and thanks are given, all with an extra helping of holiday fun.
• SOMETIMES IT'S TURKEY-SOMETIMES IT'S FEATHERS..by Lorna Balian, Humbug Books, 1994
• GRACIAS THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY, by Joy Cowley, Illustrated by Joe Cepeda, Scholastic Press, 1998
THE TURKEY SAVES THE DAY, by Shelagh Canning, Illistrated by Doug Cushman, Troll Assoociates, Inc., 1997
NON-FICTION...
• ALL ABOUT TURKEYS, by Jim Arnosky, Scholastic Press, 1998
• WILD TURKEYS, by Dorthy Hinshaw Patent, Photographs by Wiliam Munoz, Lerner Publications Co, 1999
All books are at Library, bookstores, and Amazon.com
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