POETRY LESSON
Christmas in Animal Land

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Christmas in Animal Land
Text Type: Poetry • Word Count: 256

Poem Summary
Christmas is the most festive time of year in Animal Land. Elephant decorates his Christmas tree, Polar Bear leads a sleigh ride across the snow, and a cacophony of carols fills the still night air. These charming, humorous rhymes are accompanied by their original rich pen-and-watercolor illustrations, first published at the turn of the last century. Approximate book level: S.

Build Background
Ask students about the holiday traditions around their homes. If your students celebrate Christmas, ask them to tell about some of the traditions their families have. Tell students that many Christmas traditions go back hundreds of years. If some students do not celebrate Christmas, have them share their traditions with the class.

Discuss poetry's rhymes and rhythms. Read the title and ask students to come up with a word that rhymes with land. Use other familiar rhymes as references. Also explain that a poem's syllables follow a rhythm or "beat."

Preview the Poem
Show students the cover of the book and read the title. Open the book to the title page. Tell students that you will be reading a poem that was written over one hundred years ago. Preview the illustrations and have students make predictions about what is happening in the poems. Go over any difficult vocabulary such as the word resound on page 5.

During the Reading
Allow students to stop and ask questions during reading, especially if there is something they do not understand. If reading aloud, be sure to read with expression. Emphasize the rhyme and rhythm of the poem. Invite students to clap along with the rhythm or to raise their hands when they hear rhyming words. Use think-aloud strategies, and react to parts of the book with facial expressions and gestures.

After the Reading
Reader Response
Ask students what they thought of the poem. Have volunteers summarize the poem or name their favorite part. Ask students if their families celebrate any of the same Christmas traditions as the animals. Ask all of your students to share their various holiday traditions and compare them to the animals' celebration.

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the poem.

• Why didn't Lion like the carolers?
  
• Where did Polar Bear go on his sleigh ride?
  
• Would you like to spend a holiday in Animal Land?