2. The Night Before Christmas
unit by Ann-Marie Seiler and
Jennifer Galloway
Poetry
"The Night Before Christmas" is a poem (illustrated and bound in story book form).
You may want to discuss some of the poetic elements found in "The Night Before Christmas"
such as: rhyming words, couplets, and similes.
Rhyme: For a fun rhyming words activity, print the prepared pages and let your student fill in the
ovals on each page with words that rhyme with the center word. For super silly fun, have your
student write a poem that includes all the words on one sheet. You can compile these pages
into a minit book for your lapbook if you desire. Just add a cover and staple together on the
left.
Couplet: Two lines of poetry that share an end rhyme and have the same number of syllables
(or close to the same number) are called a couplet. Your student probably knows that the word
couple means two. She can easily remember couplet by noting that a couplet is a couple of
lines that rhyme. Read some of the couplets from "The Night Before Christmas." Count the
syllables in each line. Are they the same or almost the same? Why would a couplet need to
have similar or same number of syllables in each line? Try reading a few couplets and leave
out some of the words. It just seems like something is missing, doesn't it? Poetry is not just
about sound and rhyme, it is also about rhythm. Our ears expect to hear the same number of
syllables in the second line; this is especially true once the rhythm pattern has been established
(after reading a few lines of the poem).
Let your student try her hand at writing some Christmas couplets! You may want to direct her
by giving her a topic and two rhyming words (or you may just want to let her experiment on her
own).
Alphabetical Order
Put the reindeer in alphabetical order.
Lapbook Component:
Reindeer Roundup Pocket & Cards
Simile: If your student is familiar with the term simile, discuss that it is a way to compare things
and uses either like or as to form the comparison. Similes aren't just important in poetry; they
give the writer a vehicle to express a thought in a fresh way. Moore uses LOTS of similes in this
poem. The description of Santa is loaded with comparisons. Moore could have simply said,
"his cheeks were red...his mouth was little...his beard was white...his nose was red..." Why did
he choose to use similes? Discuss the possible answers with your student.
Record all the similes that describe St. Nick in this minit book. Fold the paper on the dotted line
and cut out the shape. When finished you should have a book that opens on the right. Use this
3. book for one of the following options:
1. Let your student write or dictate Moore's similes for St. Nick
2. Let your student create and record her own comparisons using like or as for St. Nick
3. Do both #1 and #2 (using one side of the open book for each part)
Vocabulary
‗Twas – Contraction for ―It was‖
Sugarplums - A small round piece of sugary candy
Nestled - to lie close and snug
Kerchief - a woman's square scarf worn as a covering for the head or sometimes the shoulders
Clatter - to make a loud, rattling sound, as that produced by hard objects striking rapidly one
against the other
Sash - A frame in which the panes of a window or door are set (in Robert Sabuda‘s
interpretation of the poem, it appears sash is referring to a roller blind)
Coursers - A swift horse
Tarnished - To dull the luster of; discolor, especially by exposure to air or dirt
Peddler - a person who sells from door to door or in the street
Droll - amusing in an odd way; whimsically humorous; waggish
Dread - to be reluctant to do, meet, or experience
Ere - before
Lapbook Component: Vocabulary Tree Shaped with Santa (older)
Younger children can try the word cards instead.
Research Option: Biography
Let your older student research the life and times of Clement Clarke Moore; help him use an
encyclopedia or help him find books at the library. He may want to complete an author
biography notebook page.. He can place this in a notebook or fold in half and place in a pocket
for your lapbook. This can be placed in a Notebook or folded in half and placed in a library
pocket inside a lapbook.
Story Sequencing
Using the Story Sequencing Strips let your student try to put the story in order. Follow
instructions found within the file if you'd like to include in your lapbook.
Write a Letter to Santa
Have your kids write a letter to the famous man himself. You‘ll get an idea of what they are
wanting while they learn about letter writing, penmanship, and addressing an envelope. Use a
regular size envelope to place it in.
Note from Jennifer: I‘ll have my child address the envelope to Santa at his address and put her
return address on it. Glue the envelope flap down to your lapbook page. That way, you can flip it
around and see the front.
ART
Christmas Tree Pop-up
Complete the pop up below. This can be used as homemade Christmas cards or can be placed
in your notebook or lapbook. Experiment with different colors, papers and
embellishments. Read to print template
4.
5. If your student is interested in making more pop-ups, check your library or book store for The
Pop-Up Book by Paul Jackson. This book starts with the basics of paper engineering and gives
step by step instructions for over 100 projects. Try crafting some of the projects in the
book. Your advanced student may want to try to create her own kind of pop-up.
More pop-up books to check out:
Pop-up Animals by Jeanette R. Campbell (Evan-Moor, EMC 234)
How to Make Pop-ups by Joan Irvine.
Comparing Illustrations
If you were able to check out other versions of The Night Before Christmas, study the different
illustrations with your student. Which ones does he like the best? Why? Which ones capture
the tone/mood of the poem? How?
You may want to let your student choose a Christmas poem to illustrate.
Draw Santa
Let your student draw Santa. An older student can try to go by Moore's descriptions in the
poem.
Origami
Although not used in this book, Origami is a natural ―rabbit trail‖ for children that are interested
in Paper engineering.
Assignment Idea - You can check out books on origami from the library and find many
templates and instructions online. Help your student make some origami creations for their
family members as a secret surprise.
SOCIAL STUDIES
History: Who Was St. Nicholas?
St. Nicholas was born in the third century near modern day Turkey. His parents died while he
was young and he is famous for using the money he inherited from his parents to help the less
fortunate. He was also famous for his "generosity, love for children, and concern for sailors."
St. Nicholas has become somewhat of a legend and there are many stories that have been told
and embellished about him. We aren't sure what is fact and what is fiction, but the stories
center around Nicholas' compassion and in them you will find him saving people from famine,
sparing the lives of those who were innocently abused, and doing kind deeds in secret. Within
a century of his death, he was celebrated by the Catholic church as a saint. His feast day on
December 6th is a reminder to all of his kindheartedness. December 6th is still the main day for
celebration and gift giving in much of Europe. In the Netherlands St. Nicholas is
celebrated by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and
riddles. The children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the St. Nicholas' horse, and they
hope they will receive small gifts in return. The next morning the children find little presents as
well as treats such as fruit, nuts, candies, and cookies. In spirit of the holiday, the gifts are
meant to be shared with others.
6. Assignment Idea: Plan your own St. Nicholas Day celebration. Don‘t forget to share the gifts St.
Nicholas brings you!
Lapbook Component: Who Was Saint Nicholas? Simple Fold
Legends and Culture: from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus
So, how did Saint Nicholas emerge into "Santa"?
The first Europeans who arrived in the New World brought stories of St. Nicholas with them and
in 1492 Columbus named a Haitian port for St. Nicholas. Talk to you student about what can
happen to a story when it is passed from generation to generation. If your student is familiar
with other legends such as Johnny Appleseed, remind him of the story and how it was based on
a true person, but that the story was stretched a little (then a little more...then a little more) until
it wasn't the truth (but it did make a good story!). This is most likely how Santa Claus came to
be.
Other mentions of St. Nicholas in the New World
Spaniards in Florida, named an early settlement St. Nicholas Ferry. It is now known as
Jacksonville.
Colonial Germans in Pennsylvania held the feast of St. Nicholas, and several accounts do have
St. Nicholas visiting New York Dutch on New Years' Eve.
John Pintard, influential patriot and antiquarian, who founded the New York Historical Society in
1804, promoted St. Nicholas as patron saint of society and city.
In January 1809, Washington Irving joined the society and on St. Nicholas Day that year he
published the satirical fiction, Knickerbocker's History of New York, with numerous references to
a jolly St. Nicholas character.
But, guess what? The piece of work that probably contributed most to our modern day image of
Santa was (drum roll, please) "The Night Before Christmas" -- the poem you are reading this
week by Moore (which by the way was originally entitled "A Visit from St. Nicholas"). One poem
can be incredibly influential and shape an entire culture's view of a person. Isn't that amazing?
A few others who had a role in defining Santa include:
Thomas Nast-- a cartoonist who depicted Santa as round with a flowing beard, fur on his
garments, and a clay pipe
N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell and other popular illustrators also followed suit and created a
standard American Santa
Haddon Sundblom began Coca-Cola Santa advertisements (that lasted 35 years)
Traditions and Culture: American Christmas Symbols
This book presents the opportunity for you to learn more about why certain traditions are held in
American households at Christmas time. Ask your student if he can think of certain Christmas
symbols.
What does he think about a candy cane? Why do we have candy canes at Christmas
time? Christmas trees? Stockings? Spend some time learning more about the roots of these
traditions. Which ones can be traced to Saint Nicholas?
Candy Canes
Since Saint Nicholas was a bishop. the candy cane may represent the bishop's staff that all
7. bishops carry. These staffs are hooked at the top like a shepherd‘s crook.
Stockings by the fireplace
This custom is based on a story about Saint Nicholas. A poor man with three daughters did not
have a dowry. Without a dowry they would, most likely, never marry and be sold into slavery.
On three different occasions, bags of gold were tossed in an open window by Saint Nicholas
and the bags landed in stockings or shoes left to dry in front of the fire place.
Orange or tangerine in the toe of the stocking
Instead of putting gold in stockings, people would put oranges or tangerines to symbolize the
gold.
Gift-giving in secret, during the night
St. Nicholas always gave his gifts secretly, under the cover of darkness.
Seasonal concern for the needy
St. Nicholas gave gifts to those in greatest need—the young and the most vulnerable.
Christmas gifts and baskets given to those in need, along with other seasonal contributions to
charity, reflect St. Nicholas' unselfish concern for others. He never wanted or expected anything
in return.
Assignment Idea: Write a short essay about your Christmas traditions. Do you include any of
the above traditions? What traditions do you have that are different? Find out the origins of
other traditions-- the Christmas tree, why we put angels/stars at the tops of trees, why we bake
cookies/gingerbread, etc.
Symbols of Christmas Lapbook from Hands of a Child
Rabbit Trail:
Learning about Saint Nicholas provides you and your student the perfect opportunity to learn
more about Christmas Around the World!
MATH
Christmas Traditions Graph
Conduct a poll of your family and friends. How many of the previously discussed Christmas
Traditions do they have? Which one is their favorite? Make a chart similar to the one below to
record your data (instead of a bar graph, your student could also make a pie chart).
Which Christmas Tradition is your favorite?
Candy Stockings Oranges in Secret Gift Charity
Canes Stockings Giving
8. SCIENCE
Moonlight
Moon light is the reflection of the Sun‘s light off the surface of the moon. The moon does not
generate any of it‘s own light. It simply reflects the light from the sun.
Assignment Idea
Observe the moon all month long. Record your observations in a nature journal. What does the
moon look like? What phase is it in? Sketch a picture of what it looks like? How does it
change?
Reindeer
Discuss the way that reindeer are portrayed throughout the poem. What is fiction? Learn more
about who reindeer really are....
Where do reindeer live?
arctic plain or tundra and the surrounding forest and mountain areas
How does the reindeer live?
Reindeer live together in herds numbering anywhere from 20 to thousands. The herd is almost
constantly on the move. Mating season (also known as rutting season) runs from August to
November. Females usually return to the same spot every year to give birth to their young. The
calves are born between May and June and weigh between 11 and 20 pounds.
What does the reindeer eat?
The reindeer is a plant eater and eats a wide variety of vegetation. Lichens and tough grass that
grows on the tundra make up the majority of their diet. In the spring, the reindeer will graze the
newly sprouted shoots of grass and shrubs. The green leaves of birches and willows are eaten
at the summer grazing grounds. During the harsh winter months, the reindeer has a difficult time
finding enough to eat. It will dig holes in the snow several feet deep to get to the lichens and
moss underneath. At the same time, it feeds on the twigs of any shrubs it finds under or above
the snow.
Why is the reindeer valuable to nomadic tribes?
It is the only deer that can be domesticated. It provides butter, meat, cheese, clothing, and
transportation. Its antlers and bones are used to make tools and utensils, and the tough tendons
in its legs are used to make thread.
How has the reindeer been affected by man?
The reindeer's range has decreased dramatically due to extensive hunting and the destruction
of its natural habitat. The building of hydro electric power plants has caused rivers to be diverted
and large dams to be constructed in Canada and Siberia. The alteration of the natural
landscape obstructs reindeer migration routes and causes thousands to drown.
What are some other fun facts about reindeer?
The reindeer is the only species of deer in which the female has horns-perhaps to help her
compete for scarce food supplies. A day-old reindeer calf can outrun a man. Male reindeer
have inflatable pouches of skin under their throats. This amplifies the roar during the rutting
season.
9. Assignment Idea
Using the information provided, create a reindeer fact book to include in your notebook or
lapbook. Also spend some time looking at pictures of reindeer online. Do they look the same as
the ones illustrated in the story? Check your local zoos and see if any of them have reindeer so
you can see them up close.
RESOURCES
Library List
Note: having more than one version on hand will help with one of the language arts lessons as
well as one of the art lessons
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and Tasha Tudor
The Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and Jan Brett
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and Mary Engelbreit
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and Donald Mills
Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and Gennady Spirin
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
Christmas Around the World by Mary Lankford
Christmas Around the World Series from World Book
10. Cut book out on
solid lines and
fold in half. Let
your student
write the names
of the reindeer of
the lines. Cut on
dotted lines and
paste inside the
book.
How many reindeer
Can you name?
11. Cut book below out as one piece. Fold 1-2-3 under. Fold “Animals in the Story” so that it is the cover.
Open the book. Cut on dotted lines to form three flaps. Let your student cut/paste an animal under
each flap. An older student may want to include a fact about each animal as well.
1 2 3
Animals in the Story
17. Cut around Santa with tree. This
Vocabulary
will be your base. Cut out triangles.
Let your student write in the defini-
tions. Stack together with cover
(“Vocabulary”) on top. Place all the
pieces on top of the tree that Santa
is carrying. Staple where indicated
on the front cover.
24. Cut pockets out. Fold back flap up and wrap side flaps around the back and glue down.
Glue the back of your pocket into your lapbook.
Vocabulary Reindeer
Cards Round-up
25.
26.
27. Rudolph Dasher Dancer
Prancer Vixen Comet
Cupid Donder Blitzen
Cut cards out. Have your student arrange them in alphabetical order. Store in Reindeer
Round-up Pocket. You can also read the part in the poem where Santa calls the reindeer.
Have your student put them in order as you read it (note: Rudolph won’t be used).
28. Cut out on solid black lines. Let your student complete the word search. Fold in half.
Add cover piece on next page, if desired. There are also some extra clip-arts on the
next page. Your student can use them to decorate her lapbook, if desired.
night Christmas creature
mouse chimney Santa
visions snow sleigh
Word reindeer
toys
roof
presents
fur
cherry
Search elf jelly stockings
30. Stockings were hung.
make it into a book. To make the “book” — stack in order with cover on top and staple where indicated. Glue the back of the last piece in
Cut strips apart. Let your student put them in to the correct order. You may want to do this a few times throughout the week before you
Reindeer flew off the roof.
Dad heard pawing on the roof.
Santa came down the chimney.
Dad heard a noise on the lawn.
Santa filled the stockings.
Santa went down the chimney.
Dad laughed.
Smoke went around Santa’s head.
Dad saw eight tiny reindeer.
Reindeer landed on roof.
Santa whistled.
The children dreamed of sugar-plums.
your lapbook.
The Night Before Christmas
37. Hoof Snug Chimney Snow
Window Bed Sleigh Mouse
Toys Eagle Cherry Plump
Whistle Night Prancing Rapid
Tiny Luster Sugar Danced
Cut the words apart (the words are from "The Night Before Christ-
mas". Let your student choose words to make his own original poem
or short story (you decide on the number of words as appropriate to
your student's level/ability). For a fun twist, have your student pull
ten words out of cup and use those to write a poem.
38. jelly beans donuts chocolate bar
cupcake bubble gum gingerbread
candy cane hard candy chocolates
cotton candy ice cream lollipops
Sugar Plum Match Up
Cut cards apart. Use for memory matching game.
39. jelly beans donuts chocolate bar
cupcake bubble gum gingerbread
candy cane hard candy chocolates
cotton candy ice cream lollipops
