Curated OER
Create Learning Experiences with The Polar Express
Center content-integrated lessons around the timeless holiday book, The Polar Express.
Curated OER
Happy Holidays
Students create holiday story while working in cooperative learning groups, using Chris Van Allsburg's Polar Express as a writing prompt.
Curated OER
Polar Express
In this literacy learning exercise, learners color the Polar Express cover page and add to the design that is already there. They could cut out the letters for an extension activity.
Curated OER
Take the Polar Express to Learning
Students complete a variety of activities surrounding the book, The Polar Express.
Other
Chris Van Allsburg
This is the official website for the children's author, Chris Van Allsburg. Includes a biography, interviews, timeline, and many interactive activities. Click on one of his works to take a sneak peek at the book. Winner of the Caldecott...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Get the Reel Scoop: Comparing Books to Movies
Young scholars compare a book to its film adaptation, and then perform readers theater of a scene from the book that they feel was not well represented in the movie version.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin: Teacher's Guide to "The Polar Express" [Pdf]
This teachers' guide for "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg has lessons designed for both early elementary and intermediate students. It includes working with a timeline and learning about similes and metaphors. (In PDF format.)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Chris Van Allsburg: Houghton Mifflin Books
Provides a brief biography, a bibliography with synopses, the text of his two Caldecott Medal acceptance speeches, and three audio samples of Vans Allsburg's works.