How to Catch a Turkey
How to Catch Series
What’s inside...
A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play, causing chaos and hilarity as students attempt to catch it. The book combines STEAM concepts, traps, and a fun twist where no turkeys are harmed, making it a perfect Thanksgiving read for children ages 4 and up. Part of the bestselling 'How to Catch' series, this festive turkey tale is great for starting a new fall tradition or as a Thanksgiving gift.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the turkey doesn't want to be caught? How do you think he feels?
What are some of the clever ways the turkey tries to avoid being caught? Which one was your favorite and why?
How do the students work together to try to catch the turkey? Can you think of a time when you had to work with others to solve a problem?
What would you do if you were trying to catch the turkey? Would you use the same methods or try something different?
How does the story end? What do you think happens next?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation with an open mind. Encourage your child to express their thoughts freely without fear of right or wrong answers.
Use follow-up questions like 'Why do you think that?' to dig deeper and understand your child's perspective.
Connect the story's themes to real-life situations, asking your child to relate the turkey’s adventures to their own experiences of avoiding or facing challenges.
Encourage creativity by asking your child how they would change the story or what they would do if they were part of it.
Highlight the teamwork aspect, discussing the importance of working with others and sharing ways your family can collaborate like the characters in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: In 'How to Catch a Turkey', the turkey exhibits quick thinking and problem-solving abilities to evade capture.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach challenges with a creative mindset and think of innovative solutions in their daily activities, such as during games or in academic tasks.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book, including students and the school principal, work together to try and catch the turkey, showcasing the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This lesson underscores the value of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, a skill that can be applied in group projects at school or in team sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite the numerous attempts to catch him, the turkey resiliently dodges every trap, demonstrating persistence.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of perseverance in the face of obstacles, whether it's in learning a new skill or dealing with day-to-day challenges.
Example Lesson: Humor and joy
Explanation: The humorous situations and the light-hearted chase in the book highlight the significance of joy and laughter.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of finding humor in different scenarios which can help in reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being.
Example Lesson: Strategic thinking
Explanation: The turkey uses strategic moves to escape, which emphasizes the need for planning and strategy.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply strategic thinking in various aspects of life, such as in playing strategic games, planning their studies, or managing time effectively for activities.