Author - Tammy Barnett
Category - Lesson Plans, Social Studies, Holidays, Christmas
Lesson Plan Duration - 35 minute(s)
Grade Level - Pre-K,K-2

Lesson Plan Description

Teacher Reads Polar express to a small group.( It can be whole group). For the center, children will use small to medium sized sequins to decorate a train that I have run off on different colored construction paper. Kids will dictate( some will do their own writing) what they would have liked as Santa's first gift. I will write this in the middle of the train they have decorated. We'll put the trains up around the room when we are all finished.

Primary Learning Objective(s):

PArt One. To listen to and enjoy a Christmas story.

Part Two. To help develop fine motor skills.

This is not a very academic lesson, but around Christmas time its fun to have a few centers that are just enjoyable.

Additional Learning Objective(s):

If you wanted, you could show the  movie "Polar Express" and compare and contrast the movie and the book.

Procedures/Activities:

Procedures are listed in the description.

Teacher or adult reads The Polar Express aloud to the class.

Later, in a small group setting, kids will glue sequins on the outline of the train  ( the engine) that I have copied onto colored construction paper. I put the sequins in a little dixie cup, so each student  has their own cup.

While they are enjoying this part, I go around and take dictation from each student. They tell me what they would like Santa to bring them. Sometimes, I write it for them (on the center of the train). Sometimes, The student will write it (copy it, to be more  precise) or they will write part of it, and I will write part of it for them.

The trains are very colorful, and look very nice as a classroom decoration.

Materials/Equipment:

Sequins

White glue

The Polar Express book

Copies of the train to decorate

Assessment Guidelines:

I usually do not have an assessment piece that goes with this lesson.

 I do ask the children questions about the story.

I ask some open ended questions" Would you have gone on the train, if you were the boy?

Also, I ask recall type questions" What was the name of the train?  What did the boy choose as his gift?  Do you think that was a good choice?"