The Polar The Polar ExpressExpress

Written and Illustrated by

Chris Van Allsburg

Houghton Mifflin Company

• Using index cards from the writing center, identify 4 or 5 things the children on The Polar Express saw on their way to the North Pole.

• Write one word on each card.• When you are

finished, tack the cards on the board at the front of the classroom.

• The boy in the story could have asked for ANYTHING he wanted from Santa Clause.

• In your journal, explain why you think the boy only asked for a bell from Santa’s sleigh.

• One of the little boy’s friends said that he would never hear the ringing of Santa’s sleigh.

• With a few classmates, act out what you think the boy’s friends may have said when he told them that he had met Santa Clause and heard his sleigh.

• There are several phrases in the book that make a picture in your mind using words.

• From the list below, choose 2 phrases and illustrate them using paper and crayons from the art center.

• Hissing steam, the train thundered through the quiet wilderness, rolling over peaks and valleys like a car on a roller coaster, a barren desert of ice, a strange ocean liner sailing on a frozen sea

• Look at this map to find a route the Polar Express might have taken to get to the North Pole from our town. Click on Canada (in pink) to get a closer view of the North Pole.

• Tell a friend how long you think it would take to get to the North Pole from where you live.

• Imagine that you are writing a letter to the author of the book to tell him what you thought about it.

• Explain what you think he could have done to improve the story, if anything.

• We will include your writings in our class’ book review notebook.

§110.5. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 3. (9) Reading/comprehension. The student uses a variety of strategies to comprehend selections read aloud and selections read independently. The student is expected to:

(E) draw and discuss visual images based on text descriptions (1-3);

(14) Writing/purposes. The student writes for a variety of audiences and purposes and in various forms. The student is expected to:

(C) write to communicate with a variety of audiences (1-3); (D) write in different forms for different purposes such as

lists to record, letters to invite or thank, and stories or poems to entertain (1-3). §113.5. Social Studies, Grade 3.

(5) Geography. The student understands the concepts of location, distance, and direction on maps and globes. The student is expected to:

(B) use a scale to determine the distance between places on maps and globes;

§117.11. Art, Grade 3. (2) Creative expression/performance. The student expresses ideas

through original artworks, using a variety of media with appropriate skill. The student is expected to:

(C) produce drawings, paintings, prints, constructions, ceramics, and fiberart, using a variety of art materials appropriately. §117.13. Theatre, Grade 3.

(2) Creative expression/performance. The student interprets characters, using the voice and body expressively, and creates dramatizations. The student is expected to:

(B) participate in a variety of roles in real life and imaginative situations through narrative pantomime, dramatic play, and story dramatization; §126.3. Technology Applications, Grades 3-5. (7) Solving problems. The student uses appropriate computer-based productivity tools to create and modify solutions to problems. The student is expected to:

(A) use software programs with audio, video, and graphics to enhance learning experiences;

Picture References• Slide 2:

http://www.mediashout.com/images/PolarExpress/Top_of_the_World_Polar_Express.jpg

• Slide 3:http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/polar_express/photos.php?page=2

• Slide 4:http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/polar_express/photos.php?page=2

• Slide 5: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/polar_express/photos.php?page=2

• Map from http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Geography/location.html

• Slide 6: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/polar_express/photos.php?page=2

• Slide 7: http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-van-allsburg-chris.asp/