Every year my students LOVE reading the Thanksgiving book A Plump and Perky Turkey. It’s a story they keep talking about long after we finish reading, and I think it’s great when a book leaves an impact like that. For those reasons, we are spotlighting A Plump and Perky Turkey on the blog this week. If this read aloud isn’t part of your library yet, you will definitely want to add it! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
As the townspeople are preparing for their Thanksgiving feast, they suddenly realize there are no turkeys in sight. They come up with a plan to lure the turkeys into town by advertising for a “model” turkey to pose for their arts and crafts fair. When Pete the turkey arrives he seems perfect for the job. They plan to use him as their model and when they are finished, he will become their Thanksgiving feast. However, Pete is much more clever then the townspeople expect. He finds a way to outsmart them and makes his escape leaving nothing but shredded wheat to eat for the Thanksgiving feast.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
When a book is as engaging as A Plump and Perky Turkey, there are so many skills you can teach! Students will be invested in their learning and have fun too! Check out just a few of our ideas for teaching with this book.
- Analyze the illustrations in the story. Discuss how they provide meaning that the words might not.
- Discuss the author’s use of rhyme and rhythm in this book (it is an awesome rhyming book!).
- Use this book as an opportunity to teach or practice letter writing.
- Practice writing book reviews.
- Introduce or review how and why author’s use ellipses.
- Teach a lesson on the different types of sentences.
- Discuss the importance of empathy and how problem solving was used throughout the story.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
When you’re planning a read aloud, there is SO much to think about. What reading strategies does the book lends itself to, what discussion questions will you ask, how can you integrate other content areas like writing and grammar? The list goes on! Thankfully, the Starts With a Story team is doing all of that planning to make teaching easier. You will be so happy you got these actives.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Turkey Trouble by Wendi J. Silvano
- Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper
- A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting
- Turk and Runt by Lisa Wheeler
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
