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Many people have never even seen a wild turkey, let alone gotten to know one. In this Minute, Wildlife Storyteller Aline Alexander Newman shares a true story about a surprisingly personable, wild bird who trotted out of the woods and adopted a town.
Social Studies Explore the history of Thanksgiving Was turkey served at the first Thanksgiving? Or is that a myth? Teach the difference between fact and myth by assigning students to research in the library and online to find the answer to this question. Have them also explore how myths evolve. Students should take notes, then discuss their findings. I bet they'll be surprised. Language Arts/Writing Introduce the concept of contrast/compare After researching the differences between wild and domestic turkeys, ask your students to write an essay to this prompt: All Turkeys Are Not Alike. Music Just for fun Play "I will Survive," the animated version. Find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jGOc0P5DEI STEM Explore Animal Behavior This Minute highlights the unusual behavior of one wild turkey. But how much do your students know about turkeys in general? Ask them to use the library and online sources to draw up a list of ten turkey facts. Then have them search again to find several differences between wild turkeys and domestic turkeys. For example, wild turkeys can fly, but domestic turkeys can't. Being deliberately bred to produce more white meat, they're too heavy to get off the ground. Biology Take your class on a virtual field trip to a turkey farm: Visiting a Turkey Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1UbeAPyDgQ. This half hour video features a child touring Oakdale Farms in Minnesota, a farm that raises turkeys for their eggs, not for slaughter. After watching the video, ask your students to write two or three surprising facts that they learned about turkeys. Examples include: Sunlight triggers birds to lay eggs. Turkeys molt or lose feathers when laying. Since turkey eggs are in short supply, they cost much more than chicken eggs. A turkey is one weird bird. Explore its strange part |
This lesson is designed for older students: https://afghanag.ucdavis.edu/educational-materials/files/poultry/ed-live-afg-purdue-unita-lesson3-external-anatomy.pdf. But it can be easily adapted for younger students, who will enjoy learning the parts of this oddball bird.
Listening Skills
Explore how turkeys communicate
Turkeys have a surprisingly large vocabulary. Ask your students to find a website of turkey sounds and their meanings and play them aloud. The National Wild Turkey Federation is an excellent source: https://www.nwtf.org/hunt/wild-turkey-basics/turkey-sounds.
In the Minute, Mark Eddy calls the turkey by producing sounds using only his mouth. For hunters and people unable to master that skill, many companies manufacture commercial turkey callers--a turkey box call being very beginner-friendly. Demonstrate using one in class and let each student give it a try.
Listening Skills
Explore how turkeys communicate
Turkeys have a surprisingly large vocabulary. Ask your students to find a website of turkey sounds and their meanings and play them aloud. The National Wild Turkey Federation is an excellent source: https://www.nwtf.org/hunt/wild-turkey-basics/turkey-sounds.
In the Minute, Mark Eddy calls the turkey by producing sounds using only his mouth. For hunters and people unable to master that skill, many companies manufacture commercial turkey callers--a turkey box call being very beginner-friendly. Demonstrate using one in class and let each student give it a try.
