Fun and Learning with There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey

If you're looking for a Thanksgiving-themed story that's both entertaining and educational, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey by Lucille Colandro is a fantastic choice! In this humorous tale, the old lady swallows a series of Thanksgiving-related items, leading to a fun and repetitive narrative that's perfect for young learners.

Whether you're teaching at home, in an ESL classroom, or in a primary school, this story offers a wealth of learning opportunities. Here's why it's such a great pick and some ideas to bring it to life for your students.

About the Author

Lucille Colandro is a well-known author of children's books, particularly recognized for her There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed series. Her engaging storytelling and rhythmic text make her books a favorite among educators and young readers alike.

Official Website:
👉 Lucille Colandro – Author

Enjoy this story together and see what new ideas or laughs it inspires.

Why We Love There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey

Engaging and Repetitive Text – The repetitive structure of the story helps young readers anticipate and remember the sequence of events, aiding in reading fluency.
Rich Vocabulary – From Thanksgiving-related terms like pilgrim, turkey, and cranberry to action verbs like swallow, gobble, and wobble, the story introduces a variety of vocabulary words.
Sequencing Skills – The story's structure allows for easy practice of sequencing events, a key skill in both reading comprehension and writing.
Humor and Engagement – The absurdity of the old lady swallowing increasingly larger items keeps children entertained and engaged throughout the story.

Activities for the Classroom or Home

Sequencing Cards
Create cards with pictures of the items the old lady swallows. After reading the story, have students arrange the cards in the correct order. This activity reinforces sequencing skills and comprehension.
Vocabulary Matching
Provide students with a list of words from the story and matching pictures. Have them match the words to the correct images, helping to reinforce vocabulary understanding.
Story Retelling with Puppets
Use simple puppets or cut-out figures representing the characters and items in the story. Encourage students to retell the story using the puppets, promoting language development and storytelling skills.
Creative Writing Prompt
Ask students to write or draw about what they think would happen if the old lady swallowed something else, encouraging creativity and imaginative thinking.
Thanksgiving Craftivity
Have students create their own Thanksgiving-themed craft, such as a turkey handprint or a pilgrim hat, to accompany the story and enhance the holiday theme.

Cozy up, read aloud, and let the story spark conversation and creativity.

Printable and Extension Activities

Sequencing Worksheet
Provide a worksheet where students can cut and paste pictures from the story in the correct order, reinforcing their understanding of the sequence of events.
Word Search
Create a word search featuring vocabulary words from the story, helping students familiarize themselves with the terms in a fun and engaging way.
Thanksgiving Bingo
Organize a Thanksgiving-themed bingo game using images and words from the story, combining learning with a festive activity.
Interactive Story Map
Have students fill out a story map with sections for the beginning, middle, and end of the story, aiding in comprehension and understanding of narrative structure.

Storytime Videos

Enhance your storytelling sessions with these engaging read-aloud videos:

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey – Read Aloud by Storyline Online
👉 Watch on YouTube
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey – Animated Read-Aloud by KidsTimeStoryTime
👉 Watch on YouTube

Bringing the Story to Life

The magic of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey is that it’s more than just a funny, Thanksgiving-themed story – it’s a springboard for creative learning. You can use it to teach vocabulary, sequencing, problem-solving, and storytelling. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to incorporate crafts, role-play, and humor into your classroom or homeschool day.

Whether you’re a homeschooler reading aloud at home, an ESL teacher teaching vocabulary and speaking skills, or a primary teacher or librarian creating a fun storytime, this book will delight your students and inspire interactive learning.

So cozy up with There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey, share it with your students or little ones, and enjoy a reading adventure full of laughs, imagination, and Thanksgiving fun!

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