This turkey needs your help to make it past Thanksgiving!
Looking for a one day Thanksgiving art lesson?
Turkey in disguise inspires creativity!
This is a classic Thanksgiving project! Two of my four children have received Turkey in Disguise as a homework assignment throughout the years. Usually it's assigned in Kindergarten and it becomes a family homework project. I've used Turkey in Disguise in the art room throughout the years and elementary students have so many brilliant ideas about how to disguise their turkeys!
I don't assign this art project every year. Usually if an art project is finished early or if there is only one class before Thanksgiving and I don't want to start a longer art project before the holiday because half of my class has already left for vacation. Turkey in Disguise is the perfect one day art lesson. Elementary students have a lot fun creating clever turkey disguises!
This is the handout I use. Download your copy here...
Tell students...This turkey needs your help!
This turkey needs a disguise to make it safely past Thanksgiving!
Turkeys that have made it through in the past have been dressed like ballerinas, football players, farmers, hula dancers, clowns, Elvis, etc.
It's fun to hear students ideas about how they want to disguise their turkeys!
Create a list of ideas.
How will you disguise your turkey?
I have a bird i really love.
it's not a hawk. it's not a dove.
it's a turkey. it's my best friend.
he'll be beside me 'till the end.
the problem is the end is near
for Thanksgiving is almost here
turkey's get eaten in large supplies!
so my dear bird friend i must disguise!
Teacher examples...Fancy woman, Angry Bird, and Mario
Look closely... You can see the turkeys eye peeking out from behind the feathers. This Angry Bird turkey in disguise needs to see where it's going as it's getting away safely!
See more Turkey in Disguise Ideas...
Visit The Finding Mandee website to see
These turkeys were given as homework assignments. They are all very clever!
Use whatever art supplies are available. I usually set out bins of scrap paper, scissors, glue, magazines, markers, feathers, sequins, etc...
We start by cutting out the turkey.
If there is not enough time to take out too many art supplies the turkey template can also be used as a coloring sheet students can draw disguises.
Decide how to disguise your turkey and have fun and be creative!
If time allows I include artist statements. Students write what their turkey is dressed up as and how it will make it past Thanksgiving. Artist statement examples below.
Turkey in Disguise Gallery
These turkeys were created in one 45 minute art class!
Turkey disguised as an eagle. Nicholas Grade 3
Turkey disguised as Chief. Tess Grade 5
Turkey disguised as Batman. Ella Grade 5
"My turkey is going to make it safely past Thanksgiving because he is dressed as a lego mini figure." Yehuda, Grade 3
Turkey disguised as baseball player. Shmeul Grade 3
Political Turkeys... Trump vs. Hillary, 2016. Grade 3 students
Turkey disguised as Farmer. Chris Grade 4
Turkey disguised as Mario. Kellan Grade 2
"My turkey is going to make it safely past Thanksgiving because she is dressed as Queen Rebecca. Her powers are making people not eat her!" Yakova, Grade 1
""My turkey is going to make it safely past Thanksgiving because he is dressed as Frankenstein!" Tohar, Kindergarten
"My turkey is going to make it safely past Thanksgiving because he is dressed like a red angry bird and he has fast running shoes and protection. His wings can flap and he can fly...no one can catch him!" Max, Grade 1
"My turkey is going to make it safely past Thanksgiving because he is dressed as a magician and he has a magic stick." Levi, Kindergarten.
"My turkey is disguised as Ronaldo." Elyam, Grade 2
"My turkey is disguised as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle." Megan, Grade 2
"My turkey is going to make it safely past Thanksgiving because he is dressed as the Pokemon Gastly. His powers are 40Hp damage and he is basically made of ink so no one knows he is a turkey." Leon, Grade 1
Turkey disguised as US Army Solider. Isano, Grade 1
Turkey in Disguise. Cam, Grade 1
These turkeys were posted on Artsonia. I created a Turkey in Disguise Gallery and families enjoyed them as much as students enjoyed creating them! Many families left comments for the artists. The Turkey in Disguise Gallery was very popular!
Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Creating