The Night Before Christmas

As St. Nick and eight tiny reindeer descend through a brilliant night sky, the famous Christmas poem begins.

Teaching Ideas and Resources:

Write a description of, or a poem about, the things that happen in your home on the night before Christmas.
Can you find all the rhyming words in the story?
Could you add a new verse to the poem?
Write your own letter to Father Christmas, explaining what you would like for Christmas this year and why you think you deserve it.
Can you find any examples of similes in the poem?
Read the description of St. Nicholas in the poem. Can you write a description of another person in a similar style?
Make your own list of words / phrases to describe Father Christmas.
There are a number of different books that are based on this poem. Can you look at some of them and describe how they are similar / different? Which is your favourite?

Can you make a multimedia presentation showing different verses / scenes from the poem? Could you find or draw pictures that match different parts?
Try recording your own retelling of the poem. Can you add music / sound effects at appropriate points? Watch some of these videos for inspiration:

Design some of the stockings that are ‘hung by the chimney with care’ (see Resources below).
Create a storyboard showing scenes from different parts of the poem.
Draw some pictures of Father Christmas, his sleigh and his reindeer. Look at different photos and illustrations for inspiration.
Make some moving Father Christmas / reindeer characters (see Resources below).

Find out the different names that people around the world call Father Christmas / St. Nicholas.
How do people in different countries celebrate Christmas?