The Pedagogical Planner

‘Tis the season for all things turkey, and it’s no secret that kids love a good turkey book! Gobble up these fun read alouds with your students this November.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving

A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting is my personal favorite, so it’s no accident that it’s at the top of my list! When Mr. and Mrs. Moose host Thanksgiving dinner, they realize that Turkey is missing. As they set out to find him, poor Turkey is terrified thinking that he IS their Thanksgiving dinner.

Teaching Points:

• Sequencing and Retelling
• Cause and Effect
• Problem and Solution
• Character Feelings

A Very Stuffed Turkey

After being invited by Pig, Goat and Sheep, Horse, Cow, and Mouse for Thanksgiving dinner, Turkey, the loyal friend, takes on the challenge of attending all of them. Can Turkey make it through MULTIPLE Thanksgiving dinners without bursting? Find out in Katharine Kenah’s A Very Stuffed Turkey. This story is sure to give you and your class a good laugh!

Teaching Points:

• Making Predictions
• Sequencing and Retelling

Turk and Runt

Lisa Wheeler’s Turk and Runt is another hilarious book your students love. Explore Thanksgiving from a turkey’s perspective as Runt protects Turk from becoming Thanksgiving dinner. As the biggest and strongest turkey at Wishbone Farm, Turk couldn’t make his parents any prouder. When Runt tries to warn them about Turk being chosen as the biggest, juiciest turkey on the farm, no one listens. Your kids are sure to laugh at all the ways in which Runt tries to get his family’s attention to save his brother!

Teaching Points:

• Making Inferences
• Cause & Effect
• Sequencing
• Point of View

A Plump and Perky Turkey

In A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman, Squawk Valley residents need a turkey for their Thanksgiving feast. They advertise for an arts and crafts fair model turkey, which Pete seems like the perfect fit for! The residents then plan to use the turkey as their Thanksgiving dinner after the fair. However, the people of Squawk Valley are surprised at what a clever turkey Pete turns out to be. Can they lure in Pete the turkey, or will he outsmart them all?

Teaching Points:

• Character Traits
• Problem and Solution
• Summary

Turkey Trouble

I couldn’t forget this Thanksgiving classic to accompany the fun and seasonal favorite, disguise the turkey projects! In Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano Turkey has the perfect idea to a avoid the trouble of becoming Thanksgiving dinner: find a disguise. Students will giggle at all of Turkey’s attempts to find the perfect disguise.

Teaching Points:

• Cause and Effect
• Problem and Solution
• Sequencing and Retelling

How to Catch a Turkey

This fun story by Adam Wallace presents the perfect opportunity to incorporate STEAM activities into your classroom. When there’s a turkey on the loose right before the Thanksgiving school play, what are students to do? Read how students try to catch the turkey by building all sorts of contraptions.

Teaching Points:

• STEM extension activities
• Problem and Solution
• Sequencing and Retelling

Run, Turkey, Run!

In this adorable Thanksgiving tale, a turkey runs from one spot to the next in hiding from becoming the main course of Thanksgiving dinner. Kids will laugh wildly as you read Diane Mayr’s Run, Turkey, Run! This book also presents the perfect lesson opportunity for sequencing.

Teaching Points:

• Sequencing
• Problem and Solution
• Making Predictions

10 Turkeys in the Road

What’s more silly than ten turkeys dressed in costumes and doing tricks in the middle of the road? When a farmer comes upon them, he gets increasingly frustrated as he tries to pass them. We later find out these turkeys are practice for the circus. 10 Turkeys in the Road by Brenda Reeves Sturgis is an excellent book to use to encourage kids to make predictions. This book could also be used for cross-curricular activities in math, such as decomposing numbers.

Teaching Points:

• Making Predictions
• Plot Elements
• Retelling
• Math – Decomposing Numbers

The Great Turkey Race

In The Great Turkey Race by Steve Metzger, Cassie, Ollie, and Wing compete to be the Thanksgiving Turkey. Who will be the one chosen by Farmer Joe? This book also presents a great opportunity for STEM challenges.

Teaching Points:

• Making Predictions
• Sequencing and Retelling
• Character Changes
• STEM extension activities

More Books for November

• Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Encounter by Jane Yolen
• Honor our brave veterans on Veterans Day with Rags Hero Dog of WWI by Margot Theis Raven
• Learn about the beauty and wonders of November with In November by Cynthia Rylant
• Celebrate Stem Day with Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
• Observe World Kindness Day by reading Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Want Book Companions and Activities to Use with your Favorite Picture Books?

You can find plenty of book companions and other teaching resources in my store. You can also follow my store for FREE resources.

Enter your email below for more activities, lesson ideas, and FREEBIES.

I hope you enjoy!