Polar Express Worksheets and Centers

The Polar Express is a staple Christmas story for kids. Now a movie, this classic Christmas story reminds us to always believe in the spirit of Christmas.  Whether in preK, kindergarten, or first grade, kids will relate these printable math, making words, and story response sheets to the classic story, The Polar Express worksheets and centers will go perfect with your Polar Express lessons.  

Starting with the Polar Express Story Response sheet, students share their opinions, and illustrate their favorite part of the story.

This response sheet supports the kindergarten and 1st grade Common Core Writing Standards:

Use a combo of drawing, dictating, & writing to compose opinion pieces

and

Use a combo of drawing, dictating, & writing to narrate a single event

If you're looking for a writing and illustration template to go along with your Polar Express book, this Writing Response sheet is just what you need!  With only graphics of the boy and girl from the story, the title, and writing lines, you can use this to support open ended writing activities. 

For example, you can give them multiple writing prompts to choose from, use as a journal entry, or leave out in a writing center.  For the kiddos not ready to write, they can draw a picture, then dictate about their drawing.  You can use the lines to record their dictation. 

 These Polar Express character cards can be used for many purposes, such as pocket chart activities, retelling, vocabulary and language lessons, display on a story focus wall or bulletin board, writing center, using clothespins or letter tiles to build the words in a word work center, and in an take-home activity bag.

Polar Express Build a Word is a class favorite!! Students cut and paste the letter tiles to build, write, and illustrate the Polar Express vocabulary word printed at the top.  To support emergent readers, I have put a matching graphic next to the words.  Because we all know "Good readers always look at the pictures" :)

 There are 8 Polar Express worksheets for Build a Word included in this resource.  (train, conductor, ticket, Santa, bell, elves, reindeer, and hot cocoa)

We can't forget about integrating math skills into our Polar Express lessons!  Great for counting and cardinality, you can use this math worksheet for homework, morning work, math centers, as a whole class shared math activity, or as in intervention tool to offer support/challenge work.

Next, the kiddos cut and paste the picture tiles to extend Polar Express patterns.  The patterns are AB, ABB, and ABC levels. 

And, last, but not least, my favorite!  This Polar Express Measuring Train gets the students up and moving to measure around the room.  So fun! 

The kiddos color and cut the train template, and practice comparing length using objects from the classroom.  For example, as shown below, the marker is SHORTER than the train. 

 After sending the kiddos out to practice finding objects that are longer and shorter, assuring they understand the concept, I bring the class back together at the carpet, and model how to record the information they discovered.  Then, I set them free again.  This time with a clipboard, recording sheet, a measuring train, and a writing utensil.  It's great to watch as the kiddos take charge of their learning!

You can download these Polar Express resources HERE.

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