Process
Polar Express Written By Chris Van Allsburg
Part I - Discussion
Let's begin thinking about the story, Polar Express. We will start by discussing the following questions:
1. What do the pictures tell you about the story?
2. What words do you think of as we look through the pages?
3. How do you feel when you are looking at the pictures?
4. I wonder what a simile and metaphor are? Let me explain...
5. Let's read the story...be thinking about "connections".
6. Author's Craft - What stands out in the writing and pictures, or is there a pattern in the story? What are your thoughts?
Polar Express Written By Chris Van Allsburg
Part II - Connecting
We are going to use the computer lab for our next activity. Click on the link below and listen to the story, Polar Express. The story will be read by Lou Diamond Phillips, a well known actor.
Polar Express Story On Line
Find a friend in the classroom and retell the story which you heard read by Lou Diamond Phillips. Remember to discuss the following story elements:
1. Characters, Place and Setting
2. Beginning, Middle and End
3. Let's Brainstorm... as a class what you remember from the book. Let's begin with Characters from the book. We will also make a list of vocabulary words which describe places, things, or feelings from the story. What is the Author's Craft in the story?
Polar Express Written By Chris Van Allsburg
Part III - "ALL ABOARD"
Now that we have read the book, listened to the book, and talked with a friend about the book, we need to share how we connected to the book.
Click on the links below, and then print the graphic organizers.
Complete both graphic organizers.
Polar Express Graphic Organizer - Beginning, Middle and End - Write down the beginning, middle and end to the story. Think about how you knew Chris Van Allsburg was getting ready to enter into a new part of the story.
Polar Express Graphic Organizer - Big Ideas - Write at least five events that happened in the story. Try to use interesting words from the book to explain what happened.
AND
Write your own story using the following story starter,
"If I traveled on the Polar Express, I would...." .
I will be looking for uppercase letters, spaces between words and you must use at least one simile or metaphor in your story. For example, "we drank hot chocolate which tasted like melted chocolate bars". Please draw a picture illustrating your story.
HAVE FUN!!