Introducing the a STEAM-packed Thanksgiving read full of turkey trouble and fun~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection:
* Purchase “How to Catch a Turkey” by clicking this link, and start your own reading journey! (This is an affiliate link; a portion of the purchase will help MaiStoryBook continue to provide early readers.) ).
With a hilarious turn of events that ensures *no turkeys were harmed*, the Thanksgiving Play might just make it! The main character is loose in the school on this day of the play! Will the students be able to capture the turkey before the curtain call? Join them as they dash through the cafeteria, race through the library, and storm the classrooms in an attempt to find the turkey!
This book combines STEAM concepts and action-packed, silly illustrations to create a memorable Thanksgiving read aloud. The amusing illustrations will make readers laugh aloud, and the rhyming text makes for a catchy read-aloud. This book is perfect for young students ages 4 and up.
Looking for a fun and engaging Thanksgiving STEM activity for your kids? Look no further than this “How to Catch a Turkey” craft! This activity is perfect for elementary school students and will help them learn about the scientific method engineering design and problem-solving skills.
What You’ll Need:
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
- A variety of materials for building the turkey trap, such as cardboard, straws, string, tape, and rubber bands
Instructions:
- Read the story “How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace. This book tells the story of a young boy who is determined to catch a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. As he reads, have your child think about the different ways the boy tries to catch the turkey.
- Challenge your child to design and build a turkey trap. Explain that the trap needs to be strong enough to catch a turkey, but also safe so that the turkey doesn’t get hurt.
- Provide your child with a variety of materials to use for building the trap. Encourage them to be creative and use their imagination.
- Once the trap is built, have your child test it out. They can use a toy turkey or a stuffed animal to see if the trap works.
- If the trap doesn’t work, have your child go back to the drawing board and redesign it. Encourage them to think about what went wrong and how they can improve their design.
- Once the trap is working, have your child write a report about their experience. They can include information about the design process, the materials they used, and how the trap worked.
Tips:
- Make it a family activity. Get the whole family involved in building the turkey trap. This is a great way to spend quality time together and have some fun.
- Use recycled materials. This is a great way to save money and be environmentally friendly.
- Get creative! There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to building a turkey trap. Encourage your child to use their imagination and come up with their own unique design.
Benefits of this Activity:
- Develops STEM skills. This activity helps kids learn about the scientific method, engineering design, and problem-solving skills.
- Encourages creativity. This activity allows kids to use their imagination and come up with their own unique designs.
- Promotes teamwork. This activity can be done as a family or with a group of friends, which promotes teamwork and cooperation.
- Is fun and engaging. This activity is a lot of fun for kids of all ages.
Additional Resources:
- Teachers Pay Teachers: This website has a variety of Thanksgiving STEM activities, including a “How to Catch a Turkey” lesson plan.
- Pinterest: This website has a variety of Thanksgiving STEM activity ideas, including a “How to Catch a Turkey” board.
I hope you and your kids enjoy this Thanksgiving STEM activity!
P.S. Be sure to share your child’s turkey trap creations on social media using the hashtag #HowToCatchATurkeyCraft.
*My Turkey Trap* Craft
This book is bursting with STEAM concepts and inspiration on every page! This read-aloud is the perfect starting point for inspiring students to create and design their own turkey-catching traps! With school supplies all around them, the students in the pictures create a variety of contraptions to try and catch the turkey! To get creative ideas for your amazing *Turkey Traps*, check out this bookish craft that was inspired by the story! If you can involve young children in the construction process, encourage them to use real tools and resources from the classroom or at home!
Materials
- *My Turkey Trap* Downloadable Craft Template
- Scissors
- Glue/ Tape
- Pencil
- Coloring Utensils of Choice
Directions
- Choose a “Turkey Cover Label” template. There are colored and black and white versions. “How _____ Catches a Turkey” and “How to Catch a Turkey” are the headings; the former is impersonal.
- If you went with the black and white version, add your name to the spaces to make the craft exclusively yours. Ex) “How __Maya__ Catches a Turkey” .
- After cutting out the Turkey Cover Label Template, fold it in half by following the dotted line.
- Next, choose a *Turkey Body Template*. There are colored versions, or black-and-white versions .
- Response templates that differentiate between written responses only, written and picture responses, and picture responses only are also available.
- Fill in the blank response template with a description of your turkey trap, your approach to capturing the bird, or your thorough plan for capturing the turkey.
- If you chose black and white, color it in.
- Cut out the Turkey Body template.
- To connect the response template’s body with the body template, attach the Cover Label where it reads “GLUE.”
- The turkey neck on the cover label and the turkey neck on the body template should have the same bottom.
- Lift the flaps to reveal your plan and/or trap for capturing the turkey. Close the flaps to show off your turkey craft!.
Trap a Turkey – STEM Lesson
FAQ
How to Catch a Turkey book summary?
How do you grab a live turkey?