Kindergartners make sure these turkeys won’t end up on the menu

LAUREL — Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School has two very talented kindergarten teachers, Lisa Wolfgram and Julie Hart. 

In this issue of the Laurel Advocate, and again at Christmas, the talents of  the kindergarten students will be showcased to share their fun learning experiences as they prepare to enter the Holiday season.  

This month, Hart’s kindergarten class saved the lives of 18 turkeys to keep them from becoming the main course for Thanksgiving dinner.

For 30 years, Hart has been spending class time reading the book “Run, Turkey, Run” by Diane Mayr.  The story is about a turkey that is running for his life and trying to hide from a farmer who wants to capture his thanksgiving dinner.

Hart starts the project to introduce her students to the concept of what a disguise is.

All students were given a take home family project.  A picture of a turkey was sent home with each student and the student, along with a family member, were to come up with a unique way to hide their turkey from becoming Thanksgiving dinner.

Hart has had fun teaching the disguise activity, 21 of those 30 years in her Laurel kindergarten class.

The following students described the activity in their own words and reported their favorite part of the story:

Reuben Badley said his dad helped him disguise the turkey as a #77 LCC football player.  Reuben named the turkey Woody. His favorite part of the story was when the farmer was trying to catch the turkey.

Camryn Campbell said her mother helped her with her special “smelly markers” to disguise the turkey as a bright colored flamingo.  Her mother colored the green part, while she colored the feet.  Her favorite part was when the farmer chased the turkey.

Tenlie Christiansen said her parents helped her disguise her turkey as Santa Claus.  When asked how she chose Santa, Tenlie responded, “I love Santa Claus, but my parents made me do it.” 

Her favorite part of the story was when the turkey was in a tree.

Corbin Garcia said his mother helped him disguise the turkey with bright colors just like the Iron Man costume Corbin wore for Halloween. 

His favorite part of the story was when the turkey was hiding.

Berklee Goracke said her turkey was disguised as “Blazey” the kitty.  Berklee said she covered it with feathers because she didn’t have any fur. 

Her favorite part of the book was when the turkey was hiding in the tree.

Easton Gould described his turkey as “Flash” just like his Halloween costume.  He said it was really fast.  His favorite part of the book was when the farmer found the turkey at Christmas.

Beckett Hahne’s turkey was disguised with bright colors.  He said his mom helped make the rainbow bird.  He said he loves the colors, red, green, blue and purple.  His favorite part of the story was when the turkey was told to run fast.

Jaxon Hoeppner disguised his turkey as his favorite football team, the Vikings.  He said his turkey wore the number five, but the real Vikings player got traded.  His favorite part of the story was when the turkey was running.

Drake Jairam is a Star Wars fan just like his dad.  They disguised his turkey as Darth Vader. Drake said he looked cool.  His favorite part of the story was when the turkey didn’t get ate.

Reese Jelinek said she put jewels on her turkey and disguised it as a princess. 

She said the reason she chose a princess was because she just did it.  Her favorite part of the story was when the turkey was hiding.

Gracie Naeve said her mom and Mason helped her disguise her turkey as a ballerina.  Her turkey had a tutu.  She said her favorite part of the book was when the turkey ran away.

Valerie Nelson said she made her turkey into a pink princess ballerina because she likes the name ballerina.  Her favorite part of the story was when the turkey ran.

Lauren Patefield said she made her turkey all black.  She wanted him to be a ninja just like her brother Weston when he goes to karate. She was proud to say she did it all herself.  Her favorite part of the story was when the turkey disguised himself as a tree.

Liam Recob disguised his turkey as Batman, so he wouldn’t be eaten.  He said it was the only disguise he could think of.  His mother helped him with his project. His favorite part of the story was when the turkey was hiding.

Sarah Lipp disguised her turkey as a hunter in a Ghillie suit, so he could hide in the woods.  Her mother worked with her and they used yarn to cover the turkey.

McKayla Richie said she made her turkey into Captain America and covered him in glitter with an “A” on his mask.  She loved the part of the story when the turkey didn’t get ate.

Easten Sanderson covered his turkey in camouflage like a hunter and was proud to announce, he did it all by himself.  His favorite part of the story was when the turkey put his head in the bucket.

Taytum Wedige said she worked on the turkey with her mom.  Her turkey was wearing a large pair of black sunglasses and had an apron with a spatula.  She was proud to call it a running doctor.  Wedige said she wants to be a doctor as she loves doctors.  Her favorite part of the story is when the turkey hid in the tree.

Mrs. Hart’s class did such a good job hiding the turkey from the farmer, that the farmer and his family had peas, mashed potatoes and grilled cheese for their Thanksgiving meal.

Harts says,” I love my job. I am so thankful for all the wonderful students I have and the parents that support our school.”  Every year Hart is in awe at the creativity of the students and how proud they are of their special project.  

All the turkeys are then put on display outside the classroom for everyone to enjoy.  Hart says she truly loves it when she hears the older students in the hall remembering when they disguised the turkey.