November 2024

Make Way for Turkeys

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Students will recognize that many wild turkeys live in urban and suburban places because these places offer the kind of habitat that turkeys need to survive.

 

Reading Level:

Lexile: 470L; GRL: K

 

Next Generation Science Standards:

2-LS4-1: Observe the Diversity of Life in Different Habitats

 

Vocabulary:

habitat, roost, poults, strut

Use these questions to check students’ understanding and stimulate discussion:

1. What kind of food do wild turkeys often find in towns?
(birdseed)

2. What is a roost?
(a high-up spot to rest)

3. Where do turkeys like to hide their eggs?
(grass or bushes)

4. How do turkeys strut, and why do they do it?
(Answers will vary.)

Go online to print or project the Reading Checkpoint.

 

  • Long ago, people cut down so many trees to make farms that turkeys nearly went extinct—they needed tree roosts to survive!
  • How can you tell if a turkey is male or female? The males’ poop is shaped like a J. The females’ looks like a spiral. Also: Older turkeys make bigger poop.

Materials: pencils, markets, copies of the skill sheet.

Overview: Kids design a backyard roost for a turkey that will let it rest comfortably and keep it safe from predators.

Directions:

  1. Remind students that turkeys need a roost. That’s a high spot to rest and stay safe from predators like coyotes and wolves below. In towns, turkeys can roost in trees or on a playhouse.
  2. Can your students be engineers who design a fantastic turkey roost for a backyard? Review with them what the roost will need—height, a spot to rest, etc.
  3. Pass out the skill sheets, pencils, and markers
  4. Kids design their own roost. But they can work in groups to brainstorm and collaborate.
  5. How high should the roost be to keep turkeys safe from predators?
  6. How will the roost let the turkey rest comfortably?
  7. Draw the roost on the skill sheet. Have kids label their designs. If there’s time, do a roost walk to admire and compare the roost designs.