The Night Before Christmas

Author: Clement Clark Moore
Illustrator: Robert Sabuda
ISBN: 0689838999
Summary: Award Winner Robert Sabuda brings Clement Clark Moore’s classic tale of The Night Before Christmas to life in this festive pop-up edition, sure to become a perennial favorite.

Unit prepared by Ann-Marie Seiler and Jennifer Galloway

Lapbook Ideas by Jennifer Galloway

LANGUAGE ARTS

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 these 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
Reindeer Cards (print on cardstock)

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 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)

Creative Writing
Print this file and cut the words apart (the words are from "The Night Before Christmas". 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 so many words out of a cup (sight unseen).

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 these words instead:
Vocabulary Cards and Pocket (younger)
Vocabulary Pictures for Cards
Options: 1. You can print the pictures and words and let them match those. 2. Print the pictures and blanks and let them either write the words or definitions. 3. Print the words and have them draw pictures. 4. Or, just print blanks and make your own. You choose the ones you want.

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.

Some links to get you started
Clement Clarke Moore information at Wikipedia
Clement Clarke Moore at Night Before Christmas

Christmas Word Find
Lapbook Component: Help Santa in His Search (Word Find)

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.

Here is some stationary:
HWOT Lines
Primary Lines
Regular Lines

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.

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

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.

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. Source- The St. Nicholas Center (this is also the source for the next two lessons)

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)

Assignment Idea: Create a timeline book for St. Nicholas using a 12 door book, a layer book or an accordion book. Place in your notebook or lap book. You can also use a traditional timeline template such as this one.

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 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.

Free Christmas Symbols Lapbook from Homeschool Helper
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!
Christmas Traditions Around the World

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).

Santa Word Problems
Your older student may enjoy these challenging problems. (original source of these problems is unknown)

1. There are 2 Billion children in the world. According to the Population Reference Bureau, 15% of the world population is Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist. Since these children aren’t visited by Santa, how many children are left for Santa to visit?

2. The census estimates an average of 3.5 children per household. How many household does Santa need to visit? (Round if needed)

3. Assuming Santa travels East to West, he has 31 hours of Christmas to work with based on time zones and the rotation of the Earth. How many household will Santa need to visit per hour? Per Minute? Per second? (Round if needed)

4. Assuming that all the households were evenly distributed around the world, there would be .78 miles between each house. How many total miles would Santa travel?

6. If Santa had cookies (100 calories) and milk (125 calories) at each house, how many calories would he consume on Christmas?

7. If a person gains 1 pound for every 3500 calories he consumes, how many pounds would Santa gain on Christmas? How many tons is that? (1 ton is equal to 2000 pounds.)

8. If Santa’s sleigh carries one gift per child and that gift averages 2 pounds each, not including Santa, how much weight is the sleigh carrying?

9. An Earth bound reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds each. For arguments sake let say that each magical flying reindeer can pull 10 times that amount. How many reindeer would Santa need to pull his sleigh? (Do not factor in Santa’s weight.)

Answers
1. 1,700,000,000 or 1.7 Billion
2. 485,714,286
3. Per hour 15,668,203, per minute 261,137, per second 4,352
4. 378,857,143.08 miles
5. 12,221,198 MPH
6. 109,285,714,350 calories
7. 31,224,490 pounds, 15,612.245 tons
8. 3,400,000,000 pounds or 3.4 Billion pounds
9. 1133333 Magical Reindeer

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
Information from WonderClub.com

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.

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
Taking the beloved symbol of merriment out of his conventional trappings and into the world of imaginative folklore, Baum gives Santa Claus an exciting life.
Christmas Around the World by Mary Lankford
The book looks at 12 countries around the world where Christmas is celebrated on a national scale.
Christmas Around the World Series from World Book

Resources from Dover
Christmas Customs and Traditions (Dover Publications)
This comprehensive and completely nonsectarian treasury details the origins and evolution of Christmas traditions, and the significance of religious and secular practices during the yuletide. Also includes background on caroling, gifts, yule logs, and much more.

Thomas Nast’s Christmas Drawings (Dover Publications)
66 yuletide illustrations — almost all holiday drawings — by one of America's foremost illustrators and the creator of the popular Santa Claus image. Finely detailed drawings of St. Nick, sleigh rides, reindeer, "The Night Before Christmas," North Pole, and more are all depicted in this seasonal collection.

Christmas Around the World Coloring Book (Dover Publications)
Learn how Christmas is celebrated around the world by coloring 30 pictures of young carolers in Great Britain, Mexican children playing under a piñata, a Swedish girl wearing a traditional crown of candles, Greek children parading with drums and triangles, an Australian family picnicking on a beach, and more.

The Night Before Christmas Coloring Book (Dover Publications)
The poem that created Santa Claus — color its vivid images in these new illustrations by John O'Brien. Detailed drawings follow poem verse by verse. St. Nick, sugar plums, on Dasher and Dancer!

Materials and information on this website belong to the original composers. It may be used for your own personal and school use.

Candy Canes	Stockings	Oranges in Stockings	Secret Gift Giving	Charity

Reindeer Roundup Pocket Reindeer Cards (print on cardstock)	Sugar Plum Match Up Pocket Sugar Plum Cards (print on cardstock)	Vocabulary Cards and Pocket (younger) Vocabulary Pictures for Cards
Draw Santa Simple Fold	Help Santa in His Search (Word Find)	Vocabulary Tree Shaped with Santa (older)
Similes for Santa	Story Sequencing Strips	Animals in the Story (younger)
Who Was Saint Nicholas? Simple Fold	How Many Reindeer Can You Name Simple Fold	Write a Letter to Santa Stationary HWOT Lines Primary Lines Regular Lines