Turkeys for Turkey Day!

I know that Thanksgiving has come and gone but these turkeys are too adorable not to post! This lesson was done by Kindergarten through Second grade. 

To begin the lesson I read the story, Leaf Man, by Lois Ehlert. To incorporate Leaf Man into the project I told my students that they would be using leaves to make their turkeys just like in the story. The first step was to begin with the tail feathers. I decided to put a twist on the traditional approach of "hand turkeys", my students traced their hands in the warm colors (red, yellow, orange) and cut them out to make tail feathers for their turkeys.

Initially, I wanted to use giant leaves for the bodies but they became too dry and started falling apart (next time I will iron them in wax paper to preserve them). Instead they cut out brown circles for the bodies. Since I told them that they would be using leaves on their turkeys I found foamy leaves at the craft store and they used them for their heads and feet. They cut out their own waddles and beaks and glued them on the head along with googly eyes. 

Theses examples were done by the second graders.

I absolutely love how unique they turned out...each turkey has it's own little personality!

The kids were so excited to take them home to show their families for Thanksgiving.