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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.

FIVE LESSONS FOR TEACHING THE POLAR EXPRESS

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.

MORE RESOURCES FROM HOUGHTON MIFFLIN

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:

• Ideas for a Polar Express Reading Celebration
• Guiding Questions for a Polar Express Book Conversation
• Simile and Metaphor in The Polar Express: An Upper-Grade Lesson
• Retelling The Polar Express Using a Timeline: A Lower-Grade Lesson

MORE LESSONS AND RESOURCES

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.

RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ABOUT CHRIS VAN ALLSBURG

CREDIT: Houghton Mifflin

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
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