© Houghton Mifflin

Grade Level: K-Adult

Subject: Christmas, Fantasy, Animation, Family

Film: The Polar Express

MPAA Rating: G

Keywords: The Polar Express, Christmas, Holidays, December, Santa Claus, Journey Beyond Your Imagination, This Holiday Season . . . Believe, Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Boy, Hero, Father, Conductor, Pastry Chef, Waiter, Elf General, Smokey, Steamer, Elf Lieutenant, Santa’s Sleigh, sleigh bells, computer-animation, based-on-book, train.

Author: Sarah Lane

Affiliation: ClassBrain, Inc.

Date: 10 November 2004

Duration: 1 hr. 40 min.

Background: This movie is based on the popular children’s book The Polar Express written by Chris Van Allsburg. The book was the Caldecott Medal Winner in 1986 and five million copies have been sold worldwide. It was also a New York Times Best Illustrated Book and a New York Times Bestseller. It’s a wonder it took so long for The Polar Express to become a movie! This enchanting story of a boy who listened closely for Santa’s sleigh bells on Christmas Eve, brings the magic so many of us remember from the book onto the big screen. Instead of the bells the boy hears a train and once he boards the big iron horse, he’s on his way to the North Pole! There a celebration awaits him as the first Christmas gift is given and he finds himself the recipient. He can choose anything he likes and his wish is a sleigh bell from Santa’s own sleigh. He tucks the treasure into his pocket only to discover later that it has fallen through a hole in the fabric. You’ll either have to read the book or see the movie to find out how it ends!

Websites:

The Polar Express - Warner Bros Flash Site
Pay a visit to the boy’s house where you can watch a trailer and four TV spots, or build your very own snowman. Step aboard the Polar Express Passenger Car where you’ll find a photo gallery, posters, and if you pick up the conductor’s watch, a PDF of Polar Express Arts & Crafts. Make your own picture frames, and print holiday cards, ornaments, gift tags, and holiday invitations. Visit the Puppet Car to get AIM icons and play the AIM game. Visit the Engine Room to play the Concentration Game to save the train! Click on ‘Flat Top Tunnel’ to download your very own Polar Express Activity Book filled with mazes, word jumbles, coloring pages, connect-the-dots and more! Coming soon . . . Glacier Gulch, Ice Lake, and North Pole City!
Source: Warner Brothers

The Polar Express - Houghton Mifflin Books
“On November 10, 2004, this holiday favorite steams into theaters nationwide as the holiday film event of the year! The Polar Express film, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis, brings with it a whole new series of books that take their inspiration from Chris Van Allsburg's classic Christmas story.” Learn about the author, the books, the movie, and get access to special media resources and booksellers.
Source: Houghton Mifflin Books

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Find out more about The Polar Express with the help of Google.

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Teacher Resources

Polar Express Curriculum Connections
Special Section for Teachers and Librarians
Each of these lesson plan ideas can be modified to match the level and needs of your students. Subjects include creative writing/language arts, read-aloud, science/geography, art, music, fun and games, and topics for further research. There is also a PDF which has classroom activities for The Polar Express Reading Challenge. Scroll farther down for a ‘Teacher’s Guide Library’ for all of Chris Van Allsburg’s titles. Every book has its own guide complete with lesson plans and classroom activities!
Source: Houghton Mifflin

Polar Express Teacher’s Guide
This PDF has a summary of the book, highlights of the special features in The Polar Express, a summary of teaching ideas, ideas for a Polar Express reading celebration, guiding questions for a Polar Express book conversation, ‘Simile and Metaphor in The Polar Express’ - An Upper Grade Lesson, and ‘Retelling The Polar Express Using a Timeline’ - A Lower Grade Lesson.
Source: Houghton Mifflin

The Polar Express Fun & Games
Here you’ll find a ton of PDF’s! Click on the links for downloadable activities and coloring sheets, Polar Express Pajama Party instructions, other party ideas, recipes, name tags, party invitations, a reading log, reindeer craft, ‘Conductor Says’, letter to Santa, a maze, a crossword, a word search, ad slick, party carols, and a Polar Express Holiday Party Booklet!
Source: Houghton Mifflin

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Polar Express Extras

Quick Movie Teaser
Click on your bandwidth to view a movie trailer for The Polar Express.
Source: Apple.com

The Polar Express Ticket Chase
This game is much harder than it looks. You’ve got to run, duck, and jump your way to the end of the train in search of your ticket. Watch out for fire, ice, and trees!
Source: Warner Bros.

Polar Express Text Messages
Send a free Polar Express text message to your friends!
Source: Warner Bros

Polar Express Reading Materials
Just in time for the film! Check out these Polar Express reading materials.
Source: Amazon

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