Last November, CHP 1st graders had been involved in a “Disguise a Turkey” project. First, we read and discussed the book, Turkey Trouble. In this delightful story, the main character, Turkey, dresses up to save himself from being Thanksgiving dinner. Then, each student received a turkey template with directions to create a disguise to save their turkey. The template allowed for as much imagination as each child wanted to express. Students worked with their parents to generate a creative disguise. CHP 1st graders were delighted when they viewed their classmates’ projects, which were also influenced by some of their other favorite stories and characters.
We’ll be doing this popular activity again in 1st Grade this year. The project encourages student creativity and parental communication so that each child can take pride in their contribution to the classroom and their collaboration at home. We look forward to seeing what kind of imaginative disguises the students think up this Thanksgiving season to help our friend the turkey escape his fate as dinner.
Turkey’s adventures continue in different books by the same author and illustrator, Wendi Silvano and Lee Harper, including Turkey Claus, Turkey Trick or Treat, Turkey’s Eggcellent Easter, and Turkey Goes to School. Turkey Trouble is also featured on the web series StorylineOnline, read aloud by the comedian and actor Marc Maron. The students love discovering a new favorite book as a class, especially when it inspires such a fun and thoughtful activity.
The turkey disguises will be on display once the students design and create this year’s custom looks for their poultry in hiding. The turkey in our story might be in trouble, but at CHP the 1st Grade festivities are in full swing as the kids brainstorm ways to help their new feathered friend live to gobble another day!
