Thanksgiving:   Songs, Poems, & Fingerplays Do you know of any good activities that would go along with this theme?  Click on the Pre-K Fun mailbox to share them!

 

 

Pilgrim, Pilgrim, What Do You See?

Pilgrim, Pilgrim, what do you see?
I see the king refusing my plea.
Pilgrim, Pilgrim, what do you see?
I see the Mayflower ready for sea.
Pilgrim, Pilgrim, what do you see?
I see a new land to set me free.
Pilgrim, Pilgrim, what do you see?
I see hard winter, tough as can be.
Pilgrim, Pilgrim, what do you see?
I see a green bud on a spring tree.
Pilgrim, Pilgrim, what do you see?
I see an Indian helping me.
Pilgrim, Pilgrim, what do you see?
I see corn growing, 1, 2, 3 !
Pilgrim, Pilgrim, what do you see?
I see praise, for thankful are we!

 

Here Turkey, Turkey

(Sung to the tune of: "My Dreidel")

I saw a little turkey
Standing by a tree
It gobbled and it wobbled
Then ran away from me!

Oh, turkey, turkey, turkey,
Please come out and play!
I promise not to eat you
On Thanksgiving Day!

Hello, Mr. Turkey

(Sung to the tune of: "If You Are Happy and You Know It")

Hello Mr. Turkey how are you?
Hello Mr. Turkey how are you?
With a gobble, gobble, gobble
And a wobble, wobble, wobble
Hello Mr. Turkey how are you?

Mr. Turkey

Mr. Turkey,
Mr. Turkey
big and fat,
big and fat
and I'm gonna eat him
and I'm gonna eat him
just like that (clap)
just like that (clap)

Thanksgiving Poem

Oh, my mommy's in the kitchen
and she's busy as a bee
for Thanksgiving Day is coming
and she needs some help from me.

I've been mixing things
and stirring things 
and sprinkling them with spice
Now the turkey's in the oven
and the smell is mmmmmmmmmmmm
so nice

The only thing that I'd like now
is to be as big as you
So I could eat what's on my plate
and ten more helpings too.

Thanksgiving Time

(Sung to the tune of: "The Farmer in the Dell")

Thanksgiving times is here,
Let's give a great big cheer
For food and friends and family,
Thanksgiving time is here.

Five Little Turkeys

Five little turkeys standing in a row. (Hold up five fingers)
First little turkey said "I don't want to grow!" (Wiggle thumb.)
Second little turkey says, "Why do you say that?" (Wiggle first finger)
Third little turkey said, "I want to get fat!" (Wiggle next finger)
Fourth little turkey said, "Thanksgiving is near!" (Wiggle next finger)
Fifth little turkey said, "Yes, that's what I hear!" (Wiggle last finger)
Then five little turkeys standing in a row,
All said together, "Come on, let's go!"
(Run fingers away)

Theres's a Big, Fat Turkey

(Sung to the tune of: "Little White Duck")

There's a big, fat turkey
Down on the farm
A big fat turkey
Who stays away from harm
He's always gone on thanksgiving day.
For some odd reason he just runs away.
There's a big, fat turkey
Down on the farm.
Gobble, gobble, gobble

Turkey Trot

(Sung to the tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It" )

Oh, let's do the turkey trot, turkey trot.
Oh, let's do the turkey trot, turkey trot.
With a wobble, wobble, wobble,
And a gobble, gobble, gobble,
Oh, let's do the turkey trot, turkey trot.

I'm Glad I'm Not a Turkey

(Sung to the tune of: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")"

Oh, I'm glad I'm not a turkey;
a turkey, a turkey
Oh, I'm glad I'm not a turkey,
on thanksgiving day
They stuff you and bake you,
and then they all taste you
oh, i am so glad I'm not a turkey
on thanksgiving day.

Albuquerque the Turkey

Albuquerque is a turkey and he's feathered and he's fine.
And he wobbles and he gobbles and he's absolutely mine.
He's the best pet that you can get, better than a dog or cat.
He's my Albuquerque turkey and I'm mighty proud of that.
Albuquerque, he's my turkey
Is so cozy in his bed.
Because for this Thanksgiving dinner,
We'll have ________ instead!

The kids get to suggest different foods there!

We Are Thankful

We are thankful
Oh, so thankful
For our daily bread
We are thankful
Oh, so thankful
By his hand we're led.

I am Thankful

(Sung to the tune of: "Where is Thumbkin?")

 I am Thankful, I am Thankful
Yes I am, Yes I am
I am Thankful for my friends
I am thankful for my kin
Yes I am, Yes I am

Thankful For Hands

I am thankful for hands...
That hold a flower
Wear a lovely ring
Touch a kitten's fur
And pick up things.
That tie my shoes
And wash my face
and fold when I am saying grace.

We brainstorm a list of all the things we can do with our hands.

I'm Thankful

Mother said she was thankful for me.
And daddy said he was too.
"That's funny," said I.
"Because you see,
I'm thankful for both of you."

Where is Turkey

(Sung to the tune of: "Frere Jacques")

Where is turkey? where is turkey?
(hold hands behind back)
Here i am. Here i am.
(show hands, one at a time)
I will be hiding. I will be hiding.
(hide hands behind back, one at a time)
you won't find me. you won't find me.

Turkey Song & Dance

(Sung to the tune of: "Turkey In The Straw")

Oh you turkey to the left and you turkey to the right,
and you heel and you toe and scratch with all your might
then you flap your turkey wings as your head goes bobble, bobble,
turn around and say gobble, gobble, gobble.

Oh you shuffle to the left  (two steps left)
and you shuffle to the right (two steps right)
you heel and toe (point toe and then heel)
 and you scratch with all your might (scratch floor with foot)
you flap your turkey wings (two arms up and down)
and your head goes wobble, wobble
you turn around and then you  say
"Gobble, gobble, gobble."

Turkey Trot

(Sung to the tune of: "Hokey Pokey")

You put your right wing in.
You put your right wing out.
You put your right wing in,
And shake it all about.
You do the turkey trot
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about.

(left wing, drumsticks, stuffing, wattle, tail feathers, turkey body)

I'm a Little Turkey I

(Sung to the tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little turkey
Look at me
(point to self)
As fat and plump as I can be
(make circle with arms in front of belly)
Don't you try to catch me
(shake head and wave pointer finger back & forth)
"Cause you see
I'll hide behind the old oak tree
(put arms straight up in front of face)

I'm a Little Turkey II

I'm a little turkey; I like to play,
I'm very hungry; I eat all day,
When I see a hunter with his gun,
Then I know it's time to run.

I'm a Little Indian

I'm a little Indian on the go,
Here is my arrow and here is my bow.
When I go out hunting, hear me shout-
Bear and Buffalo better watch out.

I Am a Turkey

I am a turkey
(hold up hand with fingers spread like a handprint turkey)
I walk sort of jerky
(move hand about jerkily)
Around the old barnyard
I hobble, hobble.
These are my feathers
(point to fingers)
And this is my head
(point to thumb)
I shake it and say, gobble, gobble (pause) gobble.
(waggle thumb)

Ten Little Indians

One little, two little, three little Indians....
Ten little Indian girls and boys
They went to the lake to go hunting and fishing (repeat 3x)
10 little Indian girls and boys
They jumped in the boat but the boat tipped over (repeat 3x)
10 little Indian girls and boys
They swam and they swam til they reached the shore (repeat 3x)
10 little Indian girls and boys
They rubbed and they rubbed til they were dry (repeat 3x)
10 little Indian girls and boys
They ran to their mothers and she hugged them and kissed them (repeat 3x)
10 little Indian girls and boys
They crept into their teepees and fell fast asleep (repeat 3x)
10 little Indian girls and boys Shhhhh!!!

5 Little Pilgrims on Thanksgiving Day

The first one said, "I'll have cake if I may"
The second one said, "I'll have turkey roasted"
The third one said, "I'll have chestnuts toasted"
The fourth one said, "I'll have pumpkin pie"
The fifth one said, "OOh, cranberries I spy"
But before they ate any turkey or dressing
All of the Pilgrims said a Thanksgiving blessing.

This Is The Way The Pilgrims Came

(Sung to the tune: "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush")

This is the way the pilgrims came, the pilgrims came, the pilgrims came,
This is the way the pilgrims came,
On that first Thanksgiving Day. (children march around as they sing)
This is the way they built their homes, (hammer while singing)
This is the way the Indians hunted, (shoot a bow and arrow while singing)
This is the way they planted corn, (plant while singing)
This is the way they cooked their food, (stir food while singing)
This is the way they all gave thanks, (bow head while singing)
This is the way they ate their feast, (eat while singing)

The Indians are Creeping

The Indians are creeping, Shhhhhh.
The Indians are creeping, Shhhhhh.
They do not make a sound as their feet tough the ground.
The Indians are creeping, Shhhhhh.

Indian Brave

I'm an Indian brave,
Tracking bears into a cave.
"Grrr," I hear inside;
I think I'll run and hide.!

Ten Fat Turkeys

(Sung to the tune of: "Ten Little Indians")

1 fat, 2 fat 3 fat turkeys,
4 fat, 5 fat, 6 fat turkeys
7 fat, 8 fat 9 fat turkeys
10 fat turkeys ready for Thanksgiving

Run Away Mr. Turkey

Good Morning Mr. Turkey
thanksgivings almost here
and I've come to tell you
you'd better disappear!

Mother doesn't know it
or nor does Farmer Gray
I've opened up the gate
so you can run away
Run away
Run away
Run away

Turkey Trail

(Sung to the tune of: "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush")

Here we go round the turkey trail,
Turkey trail, turkey trail,
Here we go round the turkey trail,
To celebrate Thanksgiving Day!

Turkey in the Farmyard

(Sung to the tune of:  “Kookaburra”)

Turkey in the farmyard, Hold up open hand.
Strut happily. Wave hand.
Show all feathers. Wiggle fingers.
Bright as can be.
Gobble, gobble, turkey Wiggle thumb.
Gobble, gobble, turkey.
Such a sight to see! Wave hand.

Cornucopia

(Dig out your cornucopia, some fall veggies and sing to the tune of "Clementine")

There's a pumpkin, there's a pumpkin
In the cornucopia!
There's a pumpkin, there's a pumpkin,
In the cornucopia!

Add apple, corn, squash etc, to the tune to make it fun

Five Fat Turkeys Are We

We slept all night in the tree
When the cook came around...one was found
(Sing with regretful tone and  facial expression.
Add throaty sound while running hand over neck to signal end of that turkey)
And that left four you see.

Repeat two more verses.  (When you get to the last two turkeys, children are prompted
 to shout "stop the music". In discussion, the children will  state that we have to save the
 turkeys because they are getting cooked  for Thanksgiving dinner. Let's hide them.
 The first two or  three times, a teacher initiates the plan)---this is all conversation
with the children.

Final verse:

Two fat turkeys are we
We hid behind the tree
When the cook came around
We didn't make a sound...shhhhhhhh
For dinner we don't want to be!

Making Bread

(Sung to the tune of: "Frere Jacques")

Making bread, making bread,
Ummm,good. Ummm, good.
I can smell it baking,
I can smell it baking.
Smells so good, smells so good!

Making bread, making bread,
Ummm, good. Ummm, good.
Now it's time for tasting,
Now it's time for tasting.
Tastes so good, tastes so good!

New Friends

Five Pilgrims fish in the morn.
(pretend to fish)
Five Indians help them plant corn.
(pretend to plant)
The Indians bring the corn
(hold up right hand)
The Pilgrims bring the meat.
(hold up left hand)
Ten new friends sit down to eat.
(Fold hands together)

Gobbly, Wobbly Turkeys

(Sung to the tune of: "Ten Little Indians")

One little, two little ,three little turkeys,
Gobbly, wobbly, bobbly turkeys,
hurry, scurry, worry turkeys,
It's Thanksgiving Day!

Gobble, Gobble

A turkey is a funny bird
His head goes wobble, wobble.
And he knows just one word,
Gobble, gobble, Gobble.

Ten Fat Turkeys

Ten fat turkeys standing in a row.
(Hold up ten fingers)
They spread their wings and tails just so.
(Fan out fingers)
They strut to the left. (Fingers go left)
The strut to the right. (Fingers go right)
They all stand up, ready to fight.
(Fingers are still and straight)
Along comes a man, he was just one.
(Hold up one finger)
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble - just watch him run!
(Make fingers run)

The Turkey Dance

Flap your wings-shake your tail
(we shake our booty)
turn around now - hit the trail,
if your a turkey it's time to trot
 and stay away from  that roasting pot
(for this, we march in a circle. Then we stop and
clap our hands as we sing)
 GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE,--GOBBLE GOBBLE  GOBBLE.
(Then we point to each other and sing)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU!

Turkey Gobbler

Gobble, gobble goes the turkey
 on Thanksgiving Day.
Gobble, gobble goes the turkey
Better run away!

10 Days of Thanksgiving

On the first day of Thanksgiving the Natives gave to me...
a pumpkin  in a pumpkin patch.

On the second day of Thanksgiving the Natives gave to me...
 Two turkey gobblers, and a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

On the third day of Thanksgiving the Natives gave to me...
three  Native headdresses, two turkey gobblers,
 and a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

On the fourth day of Thanksgiving, the Natives gave to me...
four cornucopias, three Native headdresses, two turkey
 gobblers, and a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

On the fifth day of Thanksgiving, the Natives gave to me...
 five bows and arrows, four cornucopias, three  Native headdresses,
 two turkey gobblers, and a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

On the sixth day of Thanksgiving, the Natives gave to me...
six pairs of moccasins, five bows and arrows, four cornucopias, three
Native headdresses, two turkey gobblers, and a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

On the seventh day of Thanksgiving, the Natives gave to me...
seven Native teepees, six pairs of moccasins, five bows
 and arrows,  our cornucopias, three Native headdresses,
two turkey gobblers, and a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

On the eighth day of Thanksgiving, the Natives gave to me...
eight woven blankets, seven Native teepees, six pairs of moccasins,
five bows and arrows, four cornucopias, three  Native headdresses,
 two turkey gobblers, and a pumpkin in a pumpkin  patch.

On the ninth day of Thanksgiving, the Natives gave to me...
Nine ears of corn, eight woven blankets, seven Native teepees, six
pairs of moccasins, five bows and arrows, four cornucopias, three
Native headdresses, two turkey gobblers, and a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

On the tenth day of Thanksgiving, the Natives gave to me...
ten native tom-toms, nine ears of corn, eight woven blankets,
 seven  Native teepees, six pairs of moccasins, five bows and arrows,
 four  cornucopias, three Native headdresses, two turkey
 gobblers, and a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch!

First Thanksgiving

If I had been a Pilgrim child
Among the fields and forests wild
Where deer and turkey used to roam,
A cabin would have been my home
With fireplace and earthen floor
And bearskins hanging at the door.

I would have gathered berries bright
For candles fragrantly alight,
And dug for clams and picked the corn
And laid the table smooth and worn.
Or hunted nuts hard-shelled and good

And helped in any way I could,
With time to laugh and play and run
When Indian children came for fun.

And on the first Thanksgiving Day
I would have met with friends to pray
And thank the Lord for all his care
In keeping us together there.

Click here for more Thanksgiving Songs (at CanTeach)

Pre-K Fun Theme Pages are non-profit &  for educational reference only! 
No copyright infringement is intended.
I do not claim any of these as my own ideas.  
They are shared from friends and fellow group members.  
Some ideas found have been compiled from groups through the yrs.
Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!
 

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