THE POLAR

EXPRESS

This journal belongs to:

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 DAY 1
Answer the following question
in complete sentences. What
would you think if you looked
out your window and saw a
train pull up right outside your
house? Would you be afraid?
Would you want to get on?

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 1. What different types of trains are there? Write
down at least three of them.
a. ________________________
b.________________________
c. ________________________
2. Draw a picture in the box of the type of train
you think is the best out of all.

Type of Train:________________________

3. Why do you think this is the best type of train? Give

two reasons why you think so.
a. _______________________________________
b. _______________________________________
 4. Who was the first person to design the first practical
steam engine?
Answer:_________________________________
5. What was the name of the first major railroad that
went from Sacramento, California to Omaha
Nebraska?
Answer:_________________________________

On the map above, label Sacramento, Omaha,

Promontory Point, the Central Pacific Railroad, and the
Union Pacific Railroad.
 Day 2
1. On the map, color
the following
locations:
 Arctic Circle-
blue
 North America-
red
 Asia- green
 Europe- purple
 Africa- orange
 Put a star where
the North Pole is located.
2. If you were to live at the North Pole during summer,
would you be able to get a lot of sleep? Why or why
not?
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3. How cold is it at the North Pole?
a. -30 degrees
b. 10 degrees
c. 45 degrees
d. 90 degrees
4. Would you be able to walk around outside without a
hat or glove on? Why not?
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Animals at the Arctic!

5. On the next page are some charts on some of the
animals that live in the Arctic Circle. Fill them out
completely.
 Draw a picture of an Arctic Fox
Habitat/Eating Habits
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Characteristics
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Interesting Facts
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Draw a picture of a Beluga Whale
Habitat/Eating Habits
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Characteristics
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Interesting Facts
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 Day 3
1. After looking at the first web site, what if your
favorite holiday item? Give reasons why.
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2. What is Santa Claus’ real name?
a. Saint Nick
b.Barney
c. Mr. Stanley

3. In the box below, draw a picture that represents

your favorite Christmas song. On the lines
below, write down as much of the song as you
know.
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4. Besides Christmas, what are two other holidays

people celebrate according to the websites?
a. __________________________
b.__________________________
5. For Hanukkah, the Jews lit the Menorah with oil.
What are some other uses people have for oil
today?
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6. In the space below,
draw your own
version of the candle
holder that is used to
celebrate Kwanzaa and
using your colored
pencils color the
candle holder the
correct colors. On the
lines, tell what each
color stands for.
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Day 4
Don’t you just love the reindeer? Write down as
many of the names as you can remember.
a. _________________ f. _________________
b._________________ g._________________
c. _________________ h._________________
d._________________ i. _________________
e. _________________

1. Fill out the form below from the websites listed for
day 4.
 Draw a picture of a Reindeer Characteristics

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Habitat/Eating Habits Interesting Facts

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2. If you owned a reindeer, what would you name it?

Would you be able to provide shelter and the right
type of food for it? Why or why not?
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Day 5
1. After your reading, can you tell me what the gift was
that the boy asked
Santa for?
a. A toy car
b. A sleigh bell
c. Money

2. Off to the side, tell me

the number that goes
with the part of the bell
listed.

 Bead line
 Clapper
 Yoke
 Crown
  Mouth  Shoulder
 Sound ring  waist
 Head

3. What is the name of one of the most famous bells

that has a big crack in
Draw your own bell and color it
it?
a. ______________
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4. If you were to create
your own bell for
America, what would
you put on it? Give
reasons for your
decorations.

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5. Can you name some places that you have seen
that still use bells?
a. ____________________________
b.____________________________
c. ____________________________
6. After reading the story, why do you think the
author had the boy lose the bell?
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7.
Emotion Why did the boy When do you feel
feel that way? that way?
Curious

Excited
 DAY 1
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. After
reading the story, would you have gotten on the train? What was
your favorite part of the book? What would you have asked Santa
for as a present?

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