Twas the Night Before Christmas Poetry Activities Unit for 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade

Unwrap the gift of poetry! A lively slideshow uses “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to teach structural elements and similes. Then third, fourth, or fifth grade students identify verses, stanzas, rhythm, rhyme, and figurative language in three additional poems in this fun unit.

Open the preview to take a closer look at the introductory slideshow and printable/digital worksheets.

First, display “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and read it aloud.

Second, introduce structural elements of poetry.

• Verse – one line of poetry
• Stanza – group of verses
• Rhythm – beats or accented syllables
• Meter – pattern of beats or accented syllables
• Rhyme – syllables that sound similar

Third, model elements with examples in the poem. Printable and digital copies of the poem are included, so kids can follow along and mark up the text.

• Rhythm – As you read the first stanza again, click when you say an accented syllable to circle it. If desired, ask kids to clap as you read.
• Meter – A slide explains the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
• Rhyme – Kids explore rhyming in the first stanza. The slideshow explains how to use letters to label patterns.

Fourth, provide examples of simile.

To introduce figurative language, the slideshow points out similes in several stanzas.

Finally, practice!

• Three additional poems are ready for kids to analyze and mark up.
• A generic worksheet can be used for any poem. It asks kids to tell number of stanzas and number of verses per stanza, whether it has a refrain, explain rhythm and rhyme, and identify forms of figurative language used (simile, metaphor, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification).

The unit includes everything you need to teach structural elements of poetry. As a bonus, kids can also explore figurative language.

• Lesson plans
• Slideshow (PowerPoint and Google Slides)
• Reference guides
• “Twas the Night Before Christmas” (3 pages)
• Similes worksheet
• “Jingle Bells” (1 page)
• “Up on the House Top” (1 page)
• “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” (1 page)
• Poetry analysis worksheet (can be used with any poem)
• Answer keys

Resources can be used in a variety of ways.

• Whole class practice
• Test prep
• Small group work, remediation, or tutoring
• Homework
• Sub plans
• Homeschool

Your students will love it – and so will you!

• This unit gets everyone in the holiday spirit.
• Kids connect with well-known Christmas poems and songs.
• Activities address the intent of your third, fourth, or fifth grade standards. For example, if you teach, CCSS RL.3,5, RL.4.5, or RL.5.5 or Texas TEKS LA.3.9.B, LA.4.9.B or LA.5.9.B, you can rest assured that students will master structural elements of poetry.

You can choose the formats that works best for you.

• The slideshow is available as a PowerPoint presentation or Google Slides.
• PDFs provide printable options.
• Easel Activities offer digital versions.

Enjoy teaching Christmas poetry!

Brenda Kovich