Overview

This 71-minute interdisciplinary art and literacy lesson will engage 6th and 8th graders in a fun, thematic experience centered around the classic film The Polar Express. Students will deepen their understanding of visual art concepts while building critical reading and vocabulary skills that align with Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Integrating exciting, collaborative activities such as coloring sheets, mazes, and word searches will foster creativity and focus for a large class of 81 students.

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Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Analyze visual elements (color, line, shape) in art inspired by The Polar Express (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7 / RI.8.7)
• Demonstrate comprehension of thematic vocabulary through word search and maze activities (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.4 / RI.8.4)
• Apply creativity by completing themed coloring sheets integrated with geometric shapes and patterns (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.G.A.1 / 8.G.A.2)
• Collaborate and communicate effectively in pairs or small groups (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1 / SL.8.1)

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Materials Needed

• Projector and screen for The Polar Express viewing
• Printed Polar Express-themed coloring sheets, word searches, and mazes (sufficient for 81 students)
• Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
• Clipboards or hard surface for coloring
• Timer/clock
• Optional: Headphones for individual viewing segments if space/noise is a concern

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Standards Alignment

Standard	Grade	Description
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7 / RI.8.7	6/8	Integrate information presented visually or quantitatively with text to deepen understanding
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.4 / RI.8.4	6/8	Determine meaning of academic and domain-specific words and phrases
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.G.A.1	6	Understand and apply area, surface area, and volume of shapes
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.G.A.2	8	Understand and apply the Pythagorean theorem to find distances within polygons
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1 / SL.8.1	6/8	Engage effectively in collaborative discussions

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Lesson Timeline & Activities

1. Warm-Up & Introduction (7 minutes)

• Welcome and briefly introduce The Polar Express theme.
• Explain the connection between art and literacy: how visuals and words work together to tell stories.
• Outline the activities and how students will switch between them.

Teacher Tip: Use a quick energizer related to winter (e.g., "Name your favorite winter symbol in 10 seconds!") to connect emotionally.

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2. Movie Viewing - Part 1 (15 minutes)

• Watch the first 15 minutes of The Polar Express focusing on setting, characters, and initial plot.
• Ask students to observe key colors, shapes, and patterns in the animation.

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3. Polar Express Coloring & Geometry Art Activity (20 minutes)

• Hand out coloring sheets featuring scenes or characters from The Polar Express that include basic geometric shapes.
• 6th Graders: Identify and color shapes (triangles, circles, rectangles) in the image, focusing on area/color relationships aligning with CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.G.A.1.
• 8th Graders: Use rulers or straight edges to explore shapes and estimate distances, applying the Pythagorean theorem lightly (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.G.A.2).
• Encourage creativity in coloring choices linked to themes from the movie (e.g., warm tones for cozy scenes, cool tones for snowy landscapes).

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4. Maze Challenge with Vocabulary Focus (12 minutes)

• Provide students with a Polar Express themed maze where they must find words aligned with the movie’s vocabulary (e.g., "express," "journey," "train," "bell").
• Students practice reading and spelling domain-specific terms, reinforcing CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.4 / RI.8.4.
• Suggest that students work in pairs to discuss word meanings and maze strategy, facilitating collaboration (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1 / SL.8.1).

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5. Word Search and Reflection (12 minutes)

• Distribute word searches that include winter and story-specific vocabulary.
• After completing the word search, students write 3-4 sentences using at least two words they found, integrating writing with vocabulary understanding.
• Teachers may prompt higher-order reflections such as “How do these words connect to the story or your feelings about the movie?”

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6. Movie Viewing - Part 2 & Closing Discussion (5 minutes)

• Watch an additional 7 minutes from The Polar Express, focusing on resolution or uplifting scenes.
• Bring students together for a brief discussion:
  • What visual or vocabulary elements stood out?
  • How did the art and story work together?
• Collect completed worksheets or keep for ongoing use.

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Assessment & Follow-Up

• Informal assessment through observation of collaboration during maze and word search activities.
• Review vocabulary sentences for understanding and proper usage.
• Check coloring sheets for participation and attempt to identify geometric shapes or concepts.
• Optional formative quiz next class on vocabulary and geometry terminology from the lesson.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For struggling readers: Provide vocabulary previews with simple definitions before starting.
• For advanced students: Challenge them to create their own small maze or word search using Polar Express vocabulary.
• For varied attention spans: Rotate stations in small groups if large classroom space permits.

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Final Notes

This lesson plan leverages a beloved movie to create an immersive and cross-curricular experience that enhances both art appreciation and literacy skills. The diverse activities keep 81 students engaged while meeting CCSS standards for grades 6 and 8, ensuring both fun and educational rigor.