Teacher’s Brain

Christmas Themed Days in the Classroom with The Polar Express

I don’t know if you like or LOVE themed days in your classroom, but I LIVED for them!  Themes get kids excited, which can be exhausting, BUT they get them engaged.  Don’t get upset when your kids are loud and jumping with excitement.  When they are excited to learn, especially when they are having so much fun they don’t even know your academic objectives, is when you can pat yourself on the back knowing you are Teacher OF THE YEAR!  My favorite theme that I used most of my career was The Polar Express.  The story is perfect for squashing any “non-Santa believers” verbal language with other students who want the magic still.  I’ve also used a Winter Frozen theme and a Movie Theater themed day.

The Polar Express

I’ll walk you through my typical Polar Express Day.  Parents are asked to send in hot chocolate, marshmallows, and dress the kiddos in their school appropriate PJs. (Make sure you get your principal’s permission first.) In the morning, students arrive to a chalk or taped train track on the floor leading to my classroom door.  At the door, they are greeted by a crazy conductor (ME), who wants to collect money or items in exchange for a golden ticket.  This is really fun!  It is also the time I tell parents to come and take photos.  I joke around telling kids to get some money from their parents, and then settle for a shoe or pencil in exchange for a ticket.

Polar Express Ideas

When the students enter the room, they hear train sounds, see the chairs in rows (like a train), smell hot chocolate in the air, and are instructed to stay on in their train seats with their

Golden Tickets for The Polar Express

golden ticket.  After they settle, we review rules for the day.  I take out a hole punch to ask for each person’s golden ticket.  I pretend to punch holes in the ticket by excitedly putting the tickets under my leg, over my head or behind my back making the clicking sound.  You can either collect the tickets and reuse them every year, or allow them to take them home for a keepsake.

Make a Text Connection

We read the book first.  I tell them that the movie came out after the book.  Students are encouraged to find differences when they watch the movie.  We talk about characters, settings, problem and solutions.  Next we discuss the author’s purpose.  During the week they do various writing activities, but the main themed day is about keeping the excitement all day, so focus on the fun.  I tell students they are going on the imagination express to take their seats on the train.  After beginning the movie, I have a little cart that I keep the hot cocoa on that has wheels.  When the part of the movie comes on where the kids get cocoa, I roll out the cart, I DANCE, yes, DANCE around like crazy.  Before I got to old, I did cartwheels!  This is always the part of the day that the kids go home telling their parents about.  I have a hot cocoa maker that I use every year that makes a whole pot of cocoa.  I make it really strong and mix it with water so it is not too hot.  You can also just buy chocolate milk by the gallon and keep it heated in a crock pot.

Hot Cocoa Time

After The Movie

After the kids watch the movie, we do a Venn Diagram to compare the book and the movie.  I hold a bell up and ring it.  I pretend like I can’t hear it, because I must be too old or not a believer.  (Sniff Sniff)  The rest of the day we make crafts, sing holiday songs, and usually write a letter to Santa.  This way I can send the letters home to help the parents out with some gift ideas.  If you are looking for a fun themes holiday day, The Polar Express just may be your ticket!

Mr. Coffee Cocomotion Hot Chocolate Maker

Polar Express Activities for Writing and Author's Purpose