Polar Express Fun for Bigger Kids

Oh my word you guys.  I love, love, love The Polar Express.  Like rounded up a huge group of my friends in college and made them go see the movie with me type of love.  I also, maybe checked out one of our school copies of it almost every week I went to the library in second grade.  I always love reading it to my kiddos during the last few weeks of school before break. 

Although, when I mentioned reading it this year, some of my little ones groaned and moaned.  "We've read it so many times!" they cried.  Knowing they probably have done a lot of the same ole activities with the book in previous years, I got busy creating this past weekend!

In the midst of so much pain and suffering from the events of this past Friday, it brought me so much comfort to create something like this for my students.  I plan on doing activities from this pack on Wednesday and Thursday to have fun and just enjoy my kiddos before break.    I feel that in the testing grades, we don't get to do that as often, and quality time spent as a classroom family is more important than just about anything right now!

On Wednesday, we are reading the story and filling out the included Polar Express sequencing organizer and creating newspaper articles about the boy's journey to the North Pole.  We will also be answering some higher level thinking comprehension questions in a specials Polar Express readers response journal.  

On Thursday, I hope to have a little hot chocolate bar and centers in the morning.  I created some accompanying centers to go along with the comprehension activities in my pack, they focus on ABC order, making words, similies and metaphors, and fact and opinion.  We will also write persuasive pieces on whether hot chocolate is better with marshmallow or whipped toppings.  :)  I plan on using Teri's Hot Chocolate Craft as the topper for this writing.  :) Win, win because I can keep this up after Christmas too! 


If you are interested, I have uploaded my unit to Teachers Pay Teachers.  Click on the picture below to check it out!

 
I feel horrible that I didn't get this completed sooner, so it and the rest of my Christmas items are 20% off until Wednesday at Midnight! 

If the events of this past Friday taught me anything it is to cherish time with those you love the most.  So I'm off to cuddle my precious puppies and laugh with the hubby while we watch Garfield Christmas, one of my favorite Christmas specials.  Have a wonderful evening friends!