Tag Archives: turkeys

Gobble Gobble Jar of Thanks

Submitted by: Audrey Meidl

A great way to give thanks and to share what young ones are thankful for.

Goals:

To reinforce social/emotional development
To encourage creativity

Before You Start:
Have on hand craft foam, felt or construction paper in brown, red, yellow and orange. You will also need a papier-mâché flower pot or glass jar, scissors, tacky glue and wiggly eyes. You will also need sentence strips (or strips of cut-up lined paper) and pencils.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Using felt, foam or paper, cut out two ovals of the same size. Glue the two ovals to the outside of the flower pot or jar. This will be the turkey head. Allow the young ones to be creative with this; there is no “right” or “wrong” way.

Step 2.
Using felt, foam or paper in fall colors such as red, yellow, orange, etc., cut out more oval shapes (one of each color) and glue them to the opposite end of the flower pot or jar, on the outside.

Step 3.
Glue on wiggly eyes and use leftover felt, foam or paper to create the waddle and beak.

Step 4.
After the children are finished creating their turkey pots, have them write down things they are thankful for on the strips of paper and place them into the pot.

Step 5.
During circle time, have each child take turns sharing what they are thankful for.

Furthermore:
Tip: you can also use craft feathers instead of felt or foam for added texture. Also, add more details such as feet, or, you might want to paint the pot or jar to give it more color.

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Thankful Turkeys

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These terrific turkeys incorporate a lesson about Thanksgiving and giving thanks!

Goals:

To learn about and practice expressing thankfulness
To encourage creativity and self expression

Before You Start:
Gather materials needed: Construction paper in various colors, wiggly eyes, feathers, crayons, markers, any collage items you wish to add, glue and scissors.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Help children trace their hand on a sheet of construction paper, making sure to have them spread their fingers wide.

Step 2.
Explain to the children that their thumbs will be the neck and head of their turkey and the other fingers will be its “feathers.” Have them color and decorate their turkeys any way they like.

Step 3.
Demonstrate to children how to cut feather-shaped pieces from the colored construction paper. Have them each cut several “feathers” using the different colors of construction paper.

Step 4.
Talk to the children about the history of Thanksgiving and how the holiday is celebrated today. Ask the children what they are thankful for and have them write the names of the people, animals and other things they are thankful for on each feather. Help them with writing, if necessary.

Step 5.
Have the children glue the “feathers” onto their turkeys. Add any additional collage materials if you wish to. Now everyone has their own unique Thankful Turkey to display around the classroom!

Furthermore:
Construct a large classroom turkey to display in front of the entire class. Have the children each create a few “feathers” with messages of thanks to add to the turkey. Now you have a collective classroom Thankful Turkey!

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Turkey Picture Frame

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Submitted by: Jenny Noll

A fun and easy Thanksgiving project that turns a simple circle frame into a turkey.

Goals:

To develop fine motor skills
To reinforce color recognition

Before You Start:
For each child, you will need a wooden photo frame ornament, 5 small and 5 large oval wooden shapes, and assorted glittering craft rhinestones. Have on hand assorted Colorations® markers for coloring wood. You will also need either wood glue or craft glue. Have each student bring in a small picture of themselves, and help each child cut his or her picture to fit each frame.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Have each student choose 5 different rhinestones that they will later glue onto the tops of the oval shapes (these will be the “feathers” of their turkey).

Step 2.
Next, have the children use the markers to color in large oval “feathers” with their choice of colors.

Step 3.
Have students color in wooden frame with brown markers. After large ovals are colored in, glue smaller ovals on with rhinestones (already adhered on top of the smaller ovals) and let dry.

Step 4.
Have students put their pictures in the frames.

Step 5.
Than, have the children glue on “feathers” (wooden oval shapes) and they are now officially turkeys!

Furthermore:
Turkey frames make great gifts or keepsakes.

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Turkey Name Tags

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Submitted by: Jennifer Galvin

This Thanksgiving, hold your space at the table with a cute as can be turkey that you’ve made yourself! With just a few feathers, beads and a few more art supplies, you and your children can make some turkeys to turn your table into a festive holiday display.

Goals:

To create a Thanksgiving turkey to use as a name place holder on your Thanksgiving table
To practice fine motor skills
To practice practice name writing

Before You Start:
Gather materials: Feathers, brown, red, and orange felt, wiggly eyes, Tacky glue, Sharpie® markers, scissors and large wooden beads. Provide each student with several feathers, a large bead, two eyes, and orange and red felt for which to cut the beak and waddle. You could also cut a craft roll into thirds and use one part for the body in place of the large bead.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Have the children cut a circle out of brown felt and glue it onto the bottom of the bead (or craft roll). Next have them squirt a bit of glue down into the bead, filling it about halfway.

Step 2.
The children should now poke 4-5 feathers down into the glue-filled bead. Note: if using a craft roll, you will need to glue or tape the feathers to the inside of the roll.

Step 3.
Now the children should cut a small light bulb shape out of brown felt (this will be your turkey’s head).

Step 4.
The children should now glue eyes onto the head – and also glue the beak and waddle on under the eyes.

Step 5.
Next, glue the head onto the bead (or roll).

Step 6.
Finally, the children should write their name on the bead (or roll) under where the turkey’s head was glued.

Furthermore:
Make as many turkeys as you will have guests for Thanksgiving. Write each guests name on their bead and place it on the table so they will know where to sit. Or, just have students make one for themselves and send them home with instructions on how to make more for their families.

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Turkey Handprint Placemats

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Submitted by: Julie Edminster

Create one-of-a-kind placemats by creating turkeys out of children’s hand prints.

Goals:

As a process art project, the children will create a placemat that can be used each Thanksgiving Holiday

Before You Start:
Supplies: Colorations® jumbo stamp pads in orange, yellow and red, Colorations® markers, Colorations® crystal clear plastic covering or clear contact paper, gold glitter, Colorations® glue sticks, Colorations® card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″).

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Have the children create handprints using the jumbo stamp pads and print them on the cardstock.

Step 2.
Have the children add turkey-like features to each thumb, such as a beak, eyes and feet using the markers.

Step 3.
Have the children outline the turkeys with the markers.

Step 4.
Rub the glue sticks onto the turkeys and various parts of the paper.

Step 5.
Pour the glitter onto the glued areas and shake off.

Step 6.
Cover with the clear contact paper or laminate.

Furthermore:
The children can also add pumpkins and cranberries by making thumbprints in red and orange. Use the markers to create green stems for the pumpkins.

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