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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Twas the night before Christmas: Retelling through thinking maps

After reading and discussing “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” students will work together to create a Flow Map. Each student will then use the map they created individually to retell the story in his/her own words.

A lesson plan for grade 2 English Language Arts

By Amy Rhyne, Paulette Keys, and Sarah Carson

About the authors

Amy Rhyne is currently an assistant principal at Third Creek Elementary. She has taught first through third grades in the Iredell-Statesville School System for many years.

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Learning outcomes

The learner will:

  • be able to discuss new vocabulary terms.
  • be able to sequence the events of a story.
  • be able to enter, save and print data on the computer.
  • be able to retell a story from his/her graphic organizer.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

5 hours

Materials/resources

  • copy of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
  • pencil
  • writing paper
  • copy of Thinking Map template Word document | Kidspiration document.
  • drawing paper
  • crayons, markers or colored pencils

Technology resources

  • computer access to internet (optional).
  • computers with Kidspiration software installed (optional).
  • AverKey or Smart TV (optional). Teacher computer connected to a SmartBoard or Averkey. SMART Board, © 2002 SMART Technologies Inc. and Averykey, AVerMedia Systems, Inc. is an interactive projection device for classroom or computer lab use.

Pre-activities

If using the Kidspiration software, students should have been introduced to the computer software Kidspiration. Students should also be familiar with the Thinking Maps program or a flow chart as an organizer.

Activities

  1. Pass out a copy of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to each student. Discuss the meaning of the following vocabulary terms to obtain the student’s prior knowledge: nestled, ‘kerchief, lustre, coursers, dash, tarnished, soot, peddler, droll, encircled, broad, and obstacle.
  2. On the computer go to the Christmas Tree Farm Network website and read aloud “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” If you don’t have a projection device, you may just read the poem aloud or have students visit the website in groups.
  3. Discuss the read aloud with the students to ensure they understood what was read.
  4. Pair the students and allow them to retell the story aloud to each other.
  5. Have each of the students complete the “Twas the Night Before Christmas” Flow Map with a pencil if using the Word version. Or as partners, have the students retrieve the pre-made Kidspiration version of the Flow Map and have the students help one another complete his/her own template, save it to a disk, and print the completed Flow Map. The Flow Maps are used for sequencing. Students are allowed to help one another, as long as they each fill out their own individual map.
  6. Have the students take their own copy of the completed Flow Map to their seats and retell their story on a sheet of paper, working independently.
  7. Have each student illustrate his or her story.

Assessment

Teacher will assess the student’s completed Flow Map in comparison to the information they used in retelling the story.

Supplemental information

Related websites

Comments

Optional: We did this activity the last day before the Christmas Holidays. The students wore their pajamas to make the story a little more realistic (and fun) while it was being read! We also had parents who brought in a nice, big breakfast, in lieu of the traditional afternoon Christmas party. This is a great way to involve all students…even those whose religion may not allow them to celebrate Christmas through parties.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grade 2

  • Goal 1: The learner will understand important issues of a technology-based society and will exhibit ethical behavior in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 1.15: Identify and discuss telecommunications/Internet as a tool forcommunication and collaboration as a class. Strand - Telecommunications/Internet
  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 2.09: Identify and use multimedia tools to combine text and graphics as a class/group assignment. Strand - Multimedia/Presentation

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 2

  • Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.01: Use personal experiences and knowledge to interpret written and oral messages.
    • Objective 3.04: Increase oral and written vocabulary by listening, discussing, and composing texts when responding to literature that is read and heard. (e.g., read aloud by teacher, literature circles, interest groups, book clubs).
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.04: Use oral communication to identify, organize, and analyze information.
    • Objective 4.07: Compose first drafts using an appropriate writing process:
      • planning and drafting.
      • rereading for meaning.
      • revising to clarify and refine writing with guided discussion.
    • Objective 4.09: Use media and technology to enhance the presentation of information to an audience for a specific purpose.