Description

Looking for a November lesson that teaches real rhythm instead of just filling time before the break?

Created by a National Board Certified music teacher with 22 years of PK–6 classroom experience, this lesson takes students from singing to composing to performing in one Thanksgiving activity.

Students sing “Hello, Mr. Turkey!” (traditional, to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”). In the song’s built-in two-beat “clap-clap” spot, each student performs their own composed answer on color-coded instruments. Then they glue their rhythm onto a treble-clef turkey to take home.

WHAT’S INCLUDED (6-page PDF)

Overview poster with the color (pitch) key and rhythm key
Teacher Directions: 5-step lesson, song lyrics, materials, differentiation, extensions, and standards
Song lyric poster for display
Treble-clef turkey craft template
Musical feathers cut-out sheet (half, quarter, and eighth notes; half and quarter rests)
Two-beat composition strip with Beat 1 / Beat 2 boxes

PERFECT FOR

K–2 general music in November
Sub plans with a clear, self-contained structure
Introducing composition to young students
A class “Turkey Concert” or bulletin board display

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT

Color = pitch, notation = rhythm. Red, orange, and yellow match C, D, and E on desk bells, hand bells, and Boomwhackers®. Any color can carry any rhythm.
The answer slot is built into the song. Students perform in the traditional clap-clap spot, so there’s no extra structure to teach.
Composing that adds up. Students check that their feathers equal two beats, which reinforces note values through real decisions.
Ready-made differentiation. Support, on-level, and challenge options, including four-beat extensions and dynamics/tempo choices.
Standards-aligned. Includes NCAS codes MU:Cr2.1, MU:Pr4.2, MU:Pr6.1, MU:Re7.2, and MU:Cn11.0.

FORMAT

Digital PDF, 6 pages, full color. Print with “Fit to page.”
Licensed for use in a single classroom.
“Hello, Mr. Turkey” is a traditional song. All activities, artwork, and materials are original MusicKamp resources.

View AllClose