Turkeys A Curriculum Web for Second Grade

Click here to go to the teacher’s guide. Click here if you are a student.

Body Parts of a Turkey Turkeys have several very identifiable parts on their bodies. Learn what these parts are called and how they are useful to the turkey.

Pictured at the left are some parts of the turkey. Look at the black and white pictures to see what the names of these parts are. Look at the photograph below of a turkey and see if you can pick out the labeled parts.

Now it’s your turn! Click here to print off a worksheet in which you will need to label parts of a turkey’s body. When you have completed this activity, turn it in to your teacher before proceeding.

Did you know… 1.…that someone wanted the turkey as our nation’s bird instead of the bald eagle? 2.…male turkeys and female turkeys have special names? 3.…baby turkeys are called something other than chicks? 4.…the snood that lies over the turkeys beak turns a color when the turkey is mad? 5.…males like to look “pretty” for the females? Click here to learn some answers to the facts given and learn more turkey facts.

Want to know what wild turkeys sound like? Click HERE to listen to different sounds wild turkeys make.HERE

Quiz Time Do you feel that you now know more information about the turkey than you did before? Click the green arrow to begin your turkey quiz.

Teacher’s Guide Introduction: The Turkeys curriculum web is designed for primary aged students. It will give them knowledge of the bird most commonly known as a holiday dinner. Students will read information about turkeys and focus on three main points. These points include; the differences and similarities between wild turkeys and domestic turkeys, the body parts of a turkey, and various characteristics of a turkey. Students will complete several activities throughout the curriculum web. Aim: The Turkeys curriculum web will allow students to understand the turkey as an animal. Rationale: Throughout the month of November, students are taught the history and elements of Thanksgiving. While Native Americans and Pilgrims are top units of study, the turkey should also be given credit. As a symbol of Thanksgiving, the turkey is typically unfamiliar to primary students. This curriculum web offers students the opportunity to learn more about the turkey and view it more than just something eaten at holiday dinners.

Teacher’s Guide (continued) Description of audience and pre-requisites: This curriculum web is designed for second and third graders. Students will work pairs. Before using the Turkeys curriculum web, students should be able to: Read at a second grade level. Understand how to use the internet Understand how to complete a Venn Diagram Understand how to print documents Work in corporative groups. Description of subject-matter: Science ~ The curriculum web ties in with our second grade science curriculum, Animals That Fly, Crawl, and Jump.

Teacher’s Guide (continued) Learning Standards: Illinois State Standards: 5.A.1a ~ Identify questions and gather information 5 A.1b ~ Locate information using a variety of resources 5.C.1b ~ Use print, nonprint, human and technological resources to acquire and use information 11A.1b ~ Develop questions on scientific topics 12.A.1a ~ Identify and describe the component parts of living things and their major functions 12.A.ab ~ Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features 12.B.1a ~ Describe and compare characteristics of living things in relationship to their environments Objectives: The student will learn the differences between wild turkeys and domestic turkeys. The student will create a Venn diagram to show differences and similarities between the wild and domestic turkey. The student will learn the various parts of a turkey’s body. The student will label the parts of a turkey’s body. The student will learn the differences between the male and female turkey. The student will learn the vocabulary associated with the turkey.

Teacher’s Guide (continued) Instructional Plan: Students will brainstorm information they know about turkeys by creating a web. Students will be read the nonfiction book, Turkeys by Jim Arnonsky, to gain information about turkeys. Students will be given facts about turkeys. Students will begin the curriculum web, completing the assigned activities in order before proceeding. Students will create a book in Storybook Weaver about turkeys. List of Materials: Chart paper to create a web Turkeys by Jim Arnonsky Computers with internet connections (one computer per 2 students) Turkey fact sheet Computer program Storybook Weaver Printer Pencils Binder to keep turkey sheets

Teacher’s Guide (continued) Plan for assessment and evaluation: Assessments will be accomplished throughout the curriculum web by way of various tasks the students must complete. These tasks include: Creating a Venn diagram to show the differences and similarities of the wild and domestic turkey. Label the various parts of the turkey body. Complete a quiz, answering turkey trivia questions. Create a nonfiction turkey book using Storybook Weaver.

Turkey Quiz Click here to begin the quiz.

What is the name of a male turkey? 1.JohnJohn 2.TomTom 3.FredFred 4.TimTim

Congratulations! You are right! Male turkeys are called Toms. They puff up their bodies and tail feathers so that they can look good for the females. Go to the next question.

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Do people eat domestic turkeys or wild turkeys for Thanksgiving? Domestic Turkeys Wild Turkeys

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Congratulations! You are correct! Domestic turkeys are twice the size of wild turkeys. They are raised on farms and are to fat to fly. Click here to go to the next question.

Which colors will wild turkeys be? 1.Green and purpleGreen and purple 2.Blue and blackBlue and black 3.White and redWhite and red 4.Brown and blackBrown and black

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Congratulations! You are correct! Wild turkeys are covered with dark feathers that help them blend in with their woodland homes. Click here to go to the next question.

What is a baby turkey called? 1.ChickChick 2.CalfCalf 3.PoultPoult 4.DucklingDuckling

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Congratulations! You are correct! Baby turkeys are called poults. They live in a brood (a group of young birds). Click here to go to the next question.

What is the flap of skin under the turkey’s chin? 1.WattleWattle 2.BeakBeak 3.SnoodSnood 4.SkinSkin

Congratulations! You are correct! The flap of skin under a turkey’s chin is called the wattle. The wattle will turn a bright red when the turkey is angry. Click here to go to the next question.

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Who wanted the turkey as our national bird? 1.George WashingtonGeorge Washington 2.Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson 3.John KerryJohn Kerry 4.Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin

Congratulations! You are correct! Benjamin Franklin wanted to have the turkey as our national bird instead of the bald eagle. His request wasn’t granted. Click here to go to the next question.

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Where do wild turkeys sleep at night? 1.In a nestIn a nest 2.Under a bridgeUnder a bridge 3.Up in treesUp in trees 4.In a barnIn a barn

Congratulations! You are correct! Wild turkeys roost up in trees at night. They each sleep on a branch. This way no predator can catch them on the ground. Click here to go to the next question.

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When does the wattle turn bright red? 1.When the turkey is angryWhen the turkey is angry 2.When the turkey is sleepingWhen the turkey is sleeping 3.When the turkey is hungryWhen the turkey is hungry 4.When the turkey is sickWhen the turkey is sick

Congratulations! You are correct! When the turkey is angry, the wattle that is under the turkey’s beak turns a bright red. Click here to go to the next question.

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What color are turkey eggs? 1.Blue and spottedBlue and spotted 2.Green and stripedGreen and striped 3.Tan and speckledTan and speckled 4.White and plainWhite and plain

Congratulations! You are correct! Wild turkey eggs are tan and speckled. They are easy to hide from predators because they easily blend in with their surroundings. Click here to go to the next question.

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Are you going to eat turkey for Thanksgiving? 1.YesYes 2.NoNo

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks! Now I know my Thanksgiving is going to be great! Click here to view turkey pictures.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy a nice turkey dinner on Thanksgiving! Click here to view turkey pictures.