Are you looking for some Farm themed children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Farms can be a great theme to engage your students. It is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Farm books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Explore with your children the theme of Farms by trying these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested
1. Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
It’s almost Thanksgiving and Turkey needs to avoid ending up on the dinner platter? He has an idea: he disguises himself as a horse, a cow, a pig, and a sheep, but none of them fool even the animals.
Finally, he tries being a rooster, but when Farmer Jake can’t find Turkey, his wife says they could always eat rooster. Yikes! A funny story with wonderful watercolor illustration.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Turkey Disguises” Classroom Book
- “Turkeys” Student Counting & Color Booklet
- Turkey Disguise Student Story
- Turkey Roll It & Read It Short Vowel Game Cards
2. Turkey Surprise by Peggy Archer
Two pilgrim brothers go around town and look for a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. They will need to hunt, cook, and then gobble it up for dinner. After all, the Thanksgiving meal always means turkey.
The little pilgrim brother isn’t sure about plucking, stuffing, and cooking a turkey. As they are searching, a turkey walks along the road and realizes what the pilgrim brothers want to do. Find out the adventures of this fun turkey themed story!
Literacy Extensions:
- “Save the Turkeys” Classroom Book
- Turkey Writing Station
- Turkeys & Feathers Counting Games
- Turkeys Build a Word Game
3. Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Davy Pilkey
On the night before Thanksgiving, a group of children visit a turkey farm and meet Farmer Mack Nuggett. He has a big coop of turkeys. The children and turkeys giggle and gobble, and everything is gravy.
As the trip comes to an end, the children leave the farm with full hear, bulging bellies, and a reminder that people and poultry have much to be thankful for!
Literacy Extensions:
- “Save the Turkeys” Classroom Book
- “My Thanksgiving I See Book” Student Counting Booklet
- Turkey Art Project
- Thanksgiving Addition & Subtraction Game
4. A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
The people of Squawk Valley find themselves without a turkey for their Thanksgiving feast. What should they do? They decide to hatch a plot to lure one into town!
They’ll advertise for a “model” turkey to pose during a turkey-themed arts-and-crafts fair. Once the model is finished posing, he’ll make the perfect main course for the Squawk Valley Thanksgiving feast. But the citizens of Squawk Valley don’t plan on meeting up with a turkey as sly as Pete, a bird so clever, he just may outsmart them all!
Literacy Extensions:
- Turkey Literature List
- Turkey Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Turkey Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Turkey Art Project
5. Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon
Kids will love the silly Thanksgiving turkeys in this fun counting book! From twirling on a dance floor to being chased by a bee to tanning in the sun, these are no ordinary Thanksgiving turkeys.
The rhyming adventure makes for a fun read-aloud, and the tail feathers add a sensory element to the book as they crinkle when touched and are easy to grab for tiny hands turning pages. This shiny fabric-tabbed book is a holiday treat that is sure to be gobbled up quickly
Literacy Extensions:
- Turkey Word Bank
- Turkey Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Turkey Build a Word
- Turkey Number & Ten Frames
6. How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace
A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can you help catch it? Follow along as students turn their school upside down trying to catch the turkey.
The story ends with a twist that ensures no turkeys are harmed or eaten! Start a new Thanksgiving tradition with this hilariously zany children’s picture book that combines STEAM concepts and traps with a silly story and fun illustrations.
Literacy Extensions:
- “How to Make a Turkey” Classroom Book
- Turkey Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Turkey Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Turkey Roll & Cover Math Games
7. One Big Turkey by Ann Vittur Kennedy
Count your blessings! Join one big turkey and his forest friends as they celebrate the harvest season. Children will count along with big turkey, squirrel, and their forest friends all the reasons they have to be grateful.
Sweet, rhyming text will help children count everything they have to be thankful for, including food, friends, full tummies, and most of all, God! This board book presents parents with an adorable and simple way to teach their children about giving thanks.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Turkeys” Classroom Book
- Turkey Make a Word
- Turkey Sight Word Game
- Turkey Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. This Little Turkey by Aly Fronis
A fun, Thanksgiving themed twist on the classic nursery rhyme “This Little Piggy”! This little turkey knitted a sweater. This little turkey grabbed a treat. This little turkey set the table. And this little turkey said, “Let’s eat!”
These little turkeys have a lot of work to do to prepare for Thanksgiving! One goes to the market, one sweeps the floor, one draws pictures, one knits a sweater, and sets the table. Now they’re all ready to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Literacy Extensions:
- Turkey Student Report
- Turkey Patterns
- Turkey Letter & Sound Match Game
- Turkey Bag Art Project
Finally, there are so many Turkey children’s books you can choose from. From Turkey fiction to nonfiction, the list of books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
