Ben Franklin's Favorite Bird
Explore the famous (and often misunderstood) story of Benjamin Franklin's thoughts on the turkey as America's national bird. We'll read his own words, compare them to the real wild turkey and critically think about what makes a good national symbol.
Our goal: Learners will understand how to analyze historical writings to discover past viewpoints and distinguish between popular myths and scientific facts about animals. They will also be able to form and support their own opinions about what qualities make an effective national symbol.
What You Need
Printable worksheet • Pencils • Crayons or colored pencils • Small pieces of paper
and this is just the baseline.
Scan to jump into the app and easily personalize this Spark to match your child's exact learning level and see how Mai will guide this lesson.
Learning Guide
A simple guide to lead you through the kickoff, the core challenge, and everything in between.
Mai’s Tips
- Challenging assumptions: This Spark is designed to make children question commonly held 'facts.' Don't rush to correct their initial ideas; let them explore Franklin's letter and the turkey facts first to discover the truth themselves.
- The 'why' matters: The core of this Spark isn't just knowing the facts about Franklin, but understanding why folklore persists and how to verify information. If they're just memorizing, ask 'How do you know that?' or 'What made you change your mind?'
- Simplifying for younger children: For 4-6 year olds, focus on the fun parts of the turkey (wattle, snood) and the speed comparison (fast or slow?). You can skip the detailed 'fact vs. folklore' discussion and simply state, 'Many people think Franklin wanted the turkey, but he just admired it a lot!'
- Deepening for older children: For 10-12 year olds, discuss why a country chooses a national symbol. What does the Bald Eagle represent? Does the turkey represent similar or different values? Encourage them to consider the historical context of Franklin's letter – what was happening in America in 1784?
1A Famous Question 5 min
Read the comic together: "The Grenadier and the Turkey." Then ask the big question: "Did Ben Franklin really want the turkey to be America's national bird?" Explain that people tell this story every Thanksgiving, and today you will find out if it's true. Hear their ideas without correcting them yet.
Know Before You Teach
- Good to know: The story of Ben Franklin wanting the turkey as the national bird is widely known but often misunderstood.
- Franklin's preference for the turkey was expressed in a private letter, not a formal proposal.
- If they ask: Did Benjamin Franklin hate the bald eagle? He criticized the eagle in his letter, calling it 'a Bird of bad moral Character' because it steals fish from other birds.
- It's working when: The child expressing an opinion, even if it's based on common knowledge.
- If they're stuck: If they're hesitant, share your own initial thoughts on the story before learning the facts.
- Easier: For younger children, simply ask if they've heard this story before.
- Harder: Ask older children to consider why this particular story might have become so popular.
Done when: Student engages with the question and shares initial thoughts or prior knowledge.
2Explore Franklin's Words 8 min
Franklin wrote these words in a letter to his daughter, Sarah Bache, on 26 January 1784. The letter was about the badge of the Society of the Cincinnati, a club for officers who fought in the American Revolution. Franklin thought the eagle on the badge looked more like a turkey. Read this part of the letter aloud:
"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. ... For in Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America. ... He is besides, tho’ a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."
Then ask what words Franklin used for the turkey, and whether he sounds like he wants it as the national bird or just likes it better than the eagle. For ages 4 to 6, don't read the whole quote. Ask only about three words: "courage," "respectable" and "native."
Know Before You Teach
- Good to know: The excerpt is from a letter Franklin wrote to his daughter, Sarah Bache, on 26 January 1784.
- The letter was about the badge of the Society of the Cincinnati, a club for officers who fought in the American Revolution. Franklin thought the eagle on the badge looked more like a turkey.
- He praised the turkey's courage and its American origins, and criticized the eagle for stealing fish.
- If they ask: What's a Grenadier? A Grenadier was a soldier, often very tall and imposing, who carried grenades. Franklin was making a funny point about the turkey's bravery against even the scariest opponent.
- It's working when: The child identifying specific descriptive words Franklin used, e.g., 'courage,' 'respectable,' 'vain and silly.'
- If they're stuck: Re-read a particularly descriptive line and ask, 'What image does that put in your head?'
- Easier: Don't read the whole quote. Ask only about three words, "courage," "respectable" and "native": are those good things for a bird to be?
- Harder: Ask: 'Do you think Franklin was being completely serious here, or was he being a bit sarcastic or playful?'
Done when: Student listens to the excerpt and identifies at least one descriptive word or phrase Franklin uses for the turkey.
3Fact vs. Folklore 6 min
Teach the concept of fact vs. folklore. Fact: something proven true with evidence. Folklore: a traditional story or belief, often passed down, not necessarily proven. Discuss how to tell them apart. After discussion, confirm the factual history.
Know Before You Teach
- Good to know: Folklore: A traditional belief, custom or story passed down through generations, often without clear proof.
- Franklin's letter was a personal opinion, not an official act, which is key to understanding the 'folklore' part of the story.
- The bald eagle became the official national bird only in December 2024, when Congress passed a law and the President signed it.
- If they ask: Is all folklore fake? No, folklore often contains wisdom or cultural truths, even if the specific story isn't historically proven. It's about what people believe and share.
- Key words: Fact: Something that is real and can be proven.
- Key words: Folklore: A popular story or belief, often old, that people pass around.
- It's working when: The child offering examples from their own experience (e.g., Santa Claus for folklore, the sun rising for a fact).
- If they're stuck: Provide a simple example: 'Is it a fact that it's sunny today, or is that just folklore?'
- Easier: Focus on very clear examples of fact (e.g., 'I am wearing shoes') versus folklore (e.g., 'If you make a funny face, it will stay that way').
- Harder: Ask: 'Why do you think certain folklore stories, like the one about Franklin and the turkey, become so popular and widely believed?'
Done when: Student understands the difference between fact and folklore and can give an example of each (even if it's not related to the turkey).
4Meet the Real Turkey 9 min
Have your child use the worksheet (or plain paper) to label the turkey's parts and fill in the 'Turkey vs. Me' chart. Share these facts as they work: wild turkeys can run up to 25 mph, fly short distances at up to 55 mph and see in color.
Know Before You Teach
- Good to know: Wild turkeys are much more capable than many people think. A grown male can run at 25 mph and fly at 55 mph for short distances.
- Snood: A fleshy appendage that hangs over the turkey's beak. It changes size and color depending on the turkey's mood.
- If they ask: Do all turkeys have beards? Mostly male turkeys have beards, but some females can have them too! It's less common for hens to grow a beard.
- Key words: Wattle: The red, bumpy skin on a turkey's neck and chin.
- Key words: Beard: A tuft of stiff feathers that hangs from a turkey's chest.
- Key words: Tail fan: The big, fanned-out feathers at the back of a turkey.
- It's working when: The child showing surprise or interest in the turkey facts, especially about its abilities.
- If they're stuck: Focus on just one part to label or one ability to compare, then move on.
- Easier: Help label 1-2 parts and just talk about whether the turkey is fast or slow, and if it can fly.
- Harder: Ask: 'Knowing these facts, do you think Benjamin Franklin's description of the turkey as a 'bird of courage' is still fitting?'
Done when: Student has completed labeling and the 'Turkey vs. Me' chart, and has a better understanding of wild turkey abilities.
5Our National Symbol 2 min
Facilitate a reflection on national symbols and their personal preferences. Encourage thoughtful discussion and justification of their choices.
Know Before You Teach
- Good to know: National symbols often represent a country's values, history or unique characteristics.
- Choosing a symbol involves considering what qualities are important to represent.
- If they ask: Why did they pick the bald eagle, then? The bald eagle went on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, as a sign of strength and freedom. But it only became the official national bird in December 2024, when Congress passed a law and the President signed it.
- It's working when: The child explaining their choice with a reason linked to values or characteristics.
- If they're stuck: Prompt with some ideas: 'Should it be strong? Beautiful? Unique to America? Something else?'
- Easier: Just ask what their favorite animal is and why they like it.
- Harder: Ask them to imagine arguing for their chosen national animal to a committee. What would be their strongest points?
Done when: Student shares their opinion on important qualities for a national symbol and chooses a national animal with a reason.
Beyond The Spark
Fuel their curiosity beyond the Spark with bonus extras.
Table Talk
Learning to distinguish fact from folklore helps us understand history and current events more clearly, making us better thinkers and decision-makers.
Did You Know?
In the same letter, Franklin wrote that the first turkeys seen in Europe were served at a French king's wedding.
Challenge
Research the national animals or symbols of three other countries. What do they represent, and why do you think those animals were chosen?
Quick Recap Quiz 4 min
Customize this quiz, add questions, or follow your child's lead! Each question has a 'Parent Tip' to help them find the answer without giving it away.
1. Did Ben Franklin formally propose the turkey as the national bird to Congress?
- Yes, he gave a speech to Congress about it.
- No, he only expressed a personal preference.
Think about where Franklin wrote his words about the turkey.
2. What is the difference between a fact and folklore?
- A fact is proven true; folklore is a traditional story.
- A fact is written in a book; folklore is told out loud.
Look back at the two new words from Stage 3.
3. Which of these is true about a wild turkey?
- They can run fast, but cannot fly.
- They can fly short distances, run fast and see in color.
Look back at the 'Turkey vs. Me' chart.
4. Why is it helpful to learn the difference between fact and folklore?
- It helps us think critically and understand history better.
- It helps us win arguments with friends.
Encourage them to think about how this skill applies beyond just turkeys.
Loved This Spark?
Scan to jump into the app and explore similar Sparks in our Sparks Hub. New to Mai? Start free with 10 Sparks, no credit card needed.