Thanksgiving Tradition

Last year, at the White House, President Obama and the White House staff spared the life of a 45-pound turkey named Courage. The big, white feathery bird had been lucky. This year, I think Obama will spare another life of a turkey for his daughters. Unfortunately for most turkeys, Thanksgiving is coming and they will be seeing the oven soon. Now that it's almost Thanksgiving, turkeys will be taken of their lives and eaten.

Thanksgiving is when you gather with your family and eat things like "turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, cornbread, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pies like pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and apple pie for dessert." Another tradition some people enjoy during Thanksgiving is get a wishbone. Two people take one end, make a wish and pull on the wishbone. Whoever gets the bigger bone gets their wish. After all this, they would play, rest, or sometimes take a stroll. At the White House, the current president makes a choice of two turkeys, to serve one for Thanksgiving at the White House or to leave them the rest of their lives.

The White House Turkey

Since 1947, The National Turkey Federation, or NTF, and The Poultry and Egg National Boards, or PENB, have donated a turkey to the White House every Thanksgiving.

Most domesticated turkeys live 18-24 months and wild turkeys live 3-4 years. Usually the turkeys participate in the event when they are 22 weeks old, and there are always two turkeys so they always have a runner-up.

Wild turkeys can fly short distances up to 55 miles per hour. Domestic turkeys can't fly because they weigh twice as much as wild turkeys. Above is a picture of Harry Truman who was president in 1947. Right is president Eisenhower.

If you would some fun Thanksgiving activities, please read my other Herald post.

The White House Bird

Student Assignment: Anya

Write about the history of the White House bird. Include images for each president. Use this link for your images and information. Remember to identify your source.

Also, include how the turkey became such a central part of this holiday. Use Wikipedia as your source.

Pop Quiz: Turkeys!

Student Assignment: Zack

Take the Turkey quiz, and write about the experience.

Also, write about this pie recipe.

If you have time, create an Animoto photo essay highlighting the upper graders' most recent field trip.

Use photos from this page or from a photo marked Hillwood on your computers desktop. You may also use photos or images from Animoto.

You will need to quickly pick photos from the Exploratium's page and then drag and drop them onto your computer. Remember to add a photo credit.

Write an introduction -- at least five sentences -- to your photo essay.

Remember to pick appropriate music for your video. Remember your audience — your parents, friends, and teachers.

Go to http://animoto.com/

Click on the "Sign In" button in the upper-right-hand corner.
Email: laura_moorhead@mindspring.com
Password: Hillwood

You both will need to pace yourselves with this assignment — do not spend too much time listening to music or selecting images. There will be time to play with the program later.

Bad Day to Be a Turkey?

Watch this video on wild turkeys -- would you want to capture one for dinner?

Last year, President Obama pardon the White House turkey (see video) below. What is the likelihood of that happening again this year? This National Geographic article will help you find out.

Also, you may want to include holiday traditions of interest to Herald readers. Feel free to include information about what your family does.

Turkey Day Fun!

Student: Jennifer

Write about two fun activities for Turkey day: making a turkey pie and creating a holiday comic.

Read this article on National Geographics Kids about the pie, and then this one about comic.
Use the information as source material for your post. Also, if you would like, include information about what your family does for the holiday.

Remember to write an introduction for these festivities, as well as include images, links, and sources.

If you finish early, you may create an Animoto video about your story.