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CREDIT: Houghton
Mifflin |
Polar Express -- the book and the movie -- are student favorites. During this holiday season, take advantage of this "teachable moment" by connecting the book and movie to your curriculum. Included: Education World connects you to lessons, resources.
One of the most beloved children's books of all time, The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg, is now a popular movie too. Wise teachers everywhere are looking for ways to capitalize on interest in the story as children and families revisit this timeless classic during the holiday season.
Some schools are even capitalizing on the excitement that surrounds
the story by booking a theater for a night of family fun and
fundraising. If you're looking for a great holiday fundraiser, you might
contact your local theater about the possibility of showing Polar Express in the weeks ahead.
To help you take advantage in the classroom of this supremely "teachable
moment," Education World has gathered lessons and other resources from
around the Web. We hope these great resources help you connect The
Polar Express to all areas of your curriculum.
Imagine you are able to go on a magical journey
like the boy. Where do you go? How do you get there? How
are you changed by the experience?
The boy's bell is magic -- only he can hear it. Imagine
you find or are given a magic_____ that only you can _____
(you fill in the blanks). Describe how this object changes
your life.
The boy chooses a simple, meaningful gift over a fancy gift
that is meaningless. Think of someone you love very much.
What kind of gift could you give that person that would
mean as much as the boy's bell? It doesn't have to be a
real object.
Activity source: The
Polar Express Teacher's Guide (Houghton Mifflin)
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The five links below offer fun activities for teaching with The Polar Express. You'll find links to many additional activities as you scroll down this page.
A
Train Track Reading Log
Use this printable sheet to motivate kids to read or to help encourage parents to read to or with their kids.
Polar
Express Crossword Puzzle
A simple crossword for young readers. Printable work sheet included.
Polar
Express Word Search Puzzle
Build vocabulary and spelling skills as kids hunt for 23 words. Printable work sheet included.
Make
Your Own Reindeer
Follow up your reading of Polar Express with this simple craft activity.
Polar
Express
Party Recipes
Have a party with caramel nougat squares and chocolate-bar cocoa.
The above activities are part of a great resource from Houghton Mifflin. For
additional activities, printables, and resources from the publisher, see
their resource A
Polar Express Pajama Party.
The
Polar Express Teachers & Librarians Page
This resource from Houghton Mifflin offers across-the-curriculum lesson
ideas for The Polar Express and many other books by Chris Van
Allsburg plus a special Polar Express Pajama Party Kit.
Additional resources from the publisher include the following:
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CREDIT: Warner Bros. |
Lesson Ideas for Teaching with The Polar Express
The
Polar Express Unit & Theme
Teacher Colleen Gallagher's "Teaching Heart" Web site offers some wonderful,
easy-to-use activities for getting the most out of your classroom reading
of The Polar Express.
The Polar Express Math Problems
These story problems related to The Polar Express come from MathStories.com.
TeacherViews: The Polar Express
Teacher Katy Smith offers a brief review and some of her favorite teaching activities.
The Polar Express: Activities from Kinderthemes
Teacher Denise Fischer offers some fun ideas for sharing The Polar Express with very young readers.
A Vacation to the Polar Regions
Extend learning about the polar regions with this lesson plan from National Geographic.
Polar
Animals
The Activity Idea Place offers a couple dozen language arts, art, and music ideas to help teach about animals of the polar regions.
Mrs.
Burns's Class Reads The Polar Express
Spend a "virtual day" with Mrs. Burns's kids. Their Polar Express
explorations didn't leave out Hannukah!
Resources for Teaching About Chris Van Allsburg
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CREDIT: Houghton
Mifflin
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Chris
Van Allsburg
This is Chris's official Web page. Here you will find a brief biography,
an FAQ page, teacher resources, a scavenger hunt for kids, and much more.
A Conversation with Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton Mifflin)
Chris Van Allsburg's 1986 Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech (for The Polar Express) (Houghton Mifflin)
Author Spotlight: Chris Van Allsburg Biography (EduPlace.com)
Author Spotlight: Chris Van Allsburg Interview (EduPlace.com)
Author Studies: Chris Van Allsburg Biography (Scholastic.com)
Author Studies: Chris Van Allsburg's Interview Transcript (Scholastic.com)
Article by Gary Hopkins
Education World®
Copyright © 2007 Education World
Originally published 10/22/2004
Links and text last updated 10/31/2007
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