Christmas Classroom Stories
A classroom literature board that keeps five distinct works, their creators, forms, publication histories, and themes separate.
The board
Swipe the board sideways · 5 categories
| Dickens and Scrooge | The Christmas Ballet | Rudolph's First Booklet | The Grinch's Book | A Wordless Snowman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100Which Charles Dickens novella was first published in London in 1843? | 100Since the late 1960s, what has been true of The Nutcracker? | 100Which fictional reindeer did Robert L. May create? | 100Which children's book follows a solitary creature trying to stop Whoville's celebration? | 100Which Raymond Briggs picture book tells its story without words? |
| 200Who wrote the novella? | 200About what share of annual ticket revenue do major American ballet companies generate from the ballet? | 200Who created the character? | 200Give the author's pen name. | 200Name the British author. |
| 300Match its first publication to both publisher and year. | 300Which instrument is the score noted for using? | 300In which year was the character created? | 300How are words and pictures handled according to the source? | 300What unusual text feature defines the book? |
| 400Which illustrator is credited in the source's publication description? | 400Trace the story chain from the ballet through Dumas to the earlier author. | 400Which department store published the character's first booklet? | 400Name both the book publisher and publication year. | 400Compare its 1978 publishers in the United Kingdom and United States. |
| 500A character map places one former partner before three visiting spirits. Who is that partner? | 500A production-history chart needs the first choreographer and his assistant. Which pair belongs there? | 500Combine Rudolph's team position with the feature used to guide the sleigh. | 500A class debates the social issue the book criticizes. Which issue should anchor the discussion? | 500An art class recreates the book with the source's only named medium. What should students use? |
Ages 11 to 14 · 25 of 25 clues written · final round · about 20 minutes
26 of 26 answers carry the sentence they were checked against
Play time assumes about 40 seconds a clue plus three minutes for the final round. Nothing is saved to a server and no account is needed. How answers are checked.
Player sheet
Christmas Classroom Stories · Ages 11 to 14 · answers are on the host key
Dickens and Scrooge
- 100 Which Charles Dickens novella was first published in London in 1843?
- 200 Who wrote the novella?
- 300 Match its first publication to both publisher and year.
- 400 Which illustrator is credited in the source's publication description?
- 500 A character map places one former partner before three visiting spirits. Who is that partner?
The Christmas Ballet
- 100 Since the late 1960s, what has been true of The Nutcracker?
- 200 About what share of annual ticket revenue do major American ballet companies generate from the ballet?
- 300 Which instrument is the score noted for using?
- 400 Trace the story chain from the ballet through Dumas to the earlier author.
- 500 A production-history chart needs the first choreographer and his assistant. Which pair belongs there?
Rudolph's First Booklet
- 100 Which fictional reindeer did Robert L. May create?
- 200 Who created the character?
- 300 In which year was the character created?
- 400 Which department store published the character's first booklet?
- 500 Combine Rudolph's team position with the feature used to guide the sleigh.
The Grinch's Book
- 100 Which children's book follows a solitary creature trying to stop Whoville's celebration?
- 200 Give the author's pen name.
- 300 How are words and pictures handled according to the source?
- 400 Name both the book publisher and publication year.
- 500 A class debates the social issue the book criticizes. Which issue should anchor the discussion?
A Wordless Snowman
- 100 Which Raymond Briggs picture book tells its story without words?
- 200 Name the British author.
- 300 What unusual text feature defines the book?
- 400 Compare its 1978 publishers in the United Kingdom and United States.
- 500 An art class recreates the book with the source's only named medium. What should students use?
Final round: Page to Stage
How is Tchaikovsky's score described in the source?
Host key
Christmas Classroom Stories · keep this sheet · it carries the answers
Dickens and Scrooge
- 100 Which Charles Dickens novella was first published in London in 1843? Response: A Christmas CarolChecked against:
A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Christmas_Carol&oldid=1359601371 - 200 Who wrote the novella? Response: Charles DickensChecked against:
A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Christmas_Carol&oldid=1359601371 - 300 Match its first publication to both publisher and year. Response: Chapman & Hall in 1843Checked against:
A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Christmas_Carol&oldid=1359601371 - 400 Which illustrator is credited in the source's publication description? Response: John LeechChecked against:
A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Christmas_Carol&oldid=1359601371 - 500 A character map places one former partner before three visiting spirits. Who is that partner? Response: Jacob MarleyChecked against:
It recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Christmas_Carol&oldid=1359601371
The Christmas Ballet
- 100 Since the late 1960s, what has been true of The Nutcracker? Response: The Nutcracker has been danced by many ballet companiesChecked against:
Since the late 1960s, The Nutcracker has been danced by many ballet companies, especially in North America.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Nutcracker&oldid=1360923021 - 200 About what share of annual ticket revenue do major American ballet companies generate from the ballet? Response: around 40%Checked against:
Major American ballet companies generate around 40% of their annual ticket revenues from performances of the ballet.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Nutcracker&oldid=1360923021 - 300 Which instrument is the score noted for using? Response: the celestaChecked against:
Among other things, the score is noted for its use of the celesta, an instrument the composer had already employed in his much lesser known symphonic ballad The Voyevoda (1891).
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Nutcracker&oldid=1360923021 - 400 Trace the story chain from the ballet through Dumas to the earlier author. Response: Alexandre Dumas retold E. T. A. HoffmannChecked against:
The plot is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's 1844 short story The Tale of a Nutcracker, itself a retelling of E. T. A. Hoffmann's 1816 short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Nutcracker&oldid=1360923021 - 500 A production-history chart needs the first choreographer and his assistant. Which pair belongs there? Response: Marius Petipa and Lev IvanovChecked against:
The ballet's first choreographer was Marius Petipa, with whom Tchaikovsky had worked three years earlier on The Sleeping Beauty, assisted by Lev Ivanov.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Nutcracker&oldid=1360923021
Rudolph's First Booklet
- 100 Which fictional reindeer did Robert L. May create? Response: Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerChecked against:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional reindeer created in 1939 by Robert L. May.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer&oldid=1359550617 - 200 Who created the character? Response: Robert L. MayChecked against:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional reindeer created in 1939 by Robert L. May.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer&oldid=1359550617 - 300 In which year was the character created? Response: 1939Checked against:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional reindeer created in 1939 by Robert L. May.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer&oldid=1359550617 - 400 Which department store published the character's first booklet? Response: Montgomery WardChecked against:
Rudolph first appeared in a 1939 booklet written by May and published by Montgomery Ward, the department store.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer&oldid=1359550617 - 500 Combine Rudolph's team position with the feature used to guide the sleigh. Response: the ninth and youngest reindeer with a luminous red noseChecked against:
Rudolph is usually depicted as the ninth and youngest of Santa Claus's reindeer, using his luminous red nose to guide the reindeer team as the leader of Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer&oldid=1359550617
The Grinch's Book
- 100 Which children's book follows a solitary creature trying to stop Whoville's celebration? Response: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!Checked against:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children's Christmas book by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author. It follows the Grinch, a cranky, solitary creature who attempts to thwart the public's Christmas plans by stealing Christmas gifts and decorations from the homes of the nearby town of Whoville on Christmas Eve.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas!&oldid=1359288878 - 200 Give the author's pen name. Response: Dr. SeussChecked against:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children's Christmas book by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas!&oldid=1359288878 - 300 How are words and pictures handled according to the source? Response: rhymed verse with illustrations by the authorChecked against:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children's Christmas book by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas!&oldid=1359288878 - 400 Name both the book publisher and publication year. Response: Random House in 1957Checked against:
The story was published as a book by Random House in 1957, and at approximately the same time in an issue of Redbook.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas!&oldid=1359288878 - 500 A class debates the social issue the book criticizes. Which issue should anchor the discussion? Response: commercialization of Christmas and the holiday seasonChecked against:
The book criticizes the commercialization of Christmas and the holiday season.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas!&oldid=1359288878
A Wordless Snowman
- 100 Which Raymond Briggs picture book tells its story without words? Response: The SnowmanChecked against:
The Snowman is a wordless children's picture book by British author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Snowman_(picture_book)&oldid=1361060188 - 200 Name the British author. Response: Raymond BriggsChecked against:
The Snowman is a wordless children's picture book by British author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Snowman_(picture_book)&oldid=1361060188 - 300 What unusual text feature defines the book? Response: it is entirely wordlessChecked against:
The book is entirely wordless, and illustrated with only coloured pencils.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Snowman_(picture_book)&oldid=1361060188 - 400 Compare its 1978 publishers in the United Kingdom and United States. Response: Hamish Hamilton and Random HouseChecked against:
The Snowman is a wordless children's picture book by British author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Snowman_(picture_book)&oldid=1361060188 - 500 An art class recreates the book with the source's only named medium. What should students use? Response: coloured pencilsChecked against:
The book is entirely wordless, and illustrated with only coloured pencils.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Snowman_(picture_book)&oldid=1361060188
Final round: Page to Stage
How is Tchaikovsky's score described in the source? Response: One of his most famous compositionsChecked against: Tchaikovsky's score has become one of his most famous compositions.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Nutcracker&oldid=1360923021
Every clue, every answer, and what it was checked against
This is what prints on the host key.
Dickens and Scrooge
Which Charles Dickens novella was first published in London in 1843? 100
A Christmas CarolChecked against:
A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.
Source, pinned revisionWho wrote the novella? 200
Charles DickensChecked against:
A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.
Source, pinned revisionMatch its first publication to both publisher and year. 300
Chapman & Hall in 1843Checked against:
A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.
Source, pinned revisionWhich illustrator is credited in the source's publication description? 400
John LeechChecked against:
A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.
Source, pinned revisionA character map places one former partner before three visiting spirits. Who is that partner? 500
Jacob MarleyChecked against:
It recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
Source, pinned revision
The Christmas Ballet
Since the late 1960s, what has been true of The Nutcracker? 100
The Nutcracker has been danced by many ballet companiesChecked against:
Since the late 1960s, The Nutcracker has been danced by many ballet companies, especially in North America.
Source, pinned revisionAbout what share of annual ticket revenue do major American ballet companies generate from the ballet? 200
around 40%Checked against:
Major American ballet companies generate around 40% of their annual ticket revenues from performances of the ballet.
Source, pinned revisionWhich instrument is the score noted for using? 300
the celestaChecked against:
Among other things, the score is noted for its use of the celesta, an instrument the composer had already employed in his much lesser known symphonic ballad The Voyevoda (1891).
Source, pinned revisionTrace the story chain from the ballet through Dumas to the earlier author. 400
Alexandre Dumas retold E. T. A. HoffmannChecked against:
The plot is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's 1844 short story The Tale of a Nutcracker, itself a retelling of E. T. A. Hoffmann's 1816 short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
Source, pinned revisionA production-history chart needs the first choreographer and his assistant. Which pair belongs there? 500
Marius Petipa and Lev IvanovChecked against:
The ballet's first choreographer was Marius Petipa, with whom Tchaikovsky had worked three years earlier on The Sleeping Beauty, assisted by Lev Ivanov.
Source, pinned revision
Rudolph's First Booklet
Which fictional reindeer did Robert L. May create? 100
Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerChecked against:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional reindeer created in 1939 by Robert L. May.
Source, pinned revisionWho created the character? 200
Robert L. MayChecked against:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional reindeer created in 1939 by Robert L. May.
Source, pinned revisionIn which year was the character created? 300
1939Checked against:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional reindeer created in 1939 by Robert L. May.
Source, pinned revisionWhich department store published the character's first booklet? 400
Montgomery WardChecked against:
Rudolph first appeared in a 1939 booklet written by May and published by Montgomery Ward, the department store.
Source, pinned revisionCombine Rudolph's team position with the feature used to guide the sleigh. 500
the ninth and youngest reindeer with a luminous red noseChecked against:
Rudolph is usually depicted as the ninth and youngest of Santa Claus's reindeer, using his luminous red nose to guide the reindeer team as the leader of Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve.
Source, pinned revision
The Grinch's Book
Which children's book follows a solitary creature trying to stop Whoville's celebration? 100
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!Checked against:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children's Christmas book by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author. It follows the Grinch, a cranky, solitary creature who attempts to thwart the public's Christmas plans by stealing Christmas gifts and decorations from the homes of the nearby town of Whoville on Christmas Eve.
Source, pinned revisionGive the author's pen name. 200
Dr. SeussChecked against:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children's Christmas book by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author.
Source, pinned revisionHow are words and pictures handled according to the source? 300
rhymed verse with illustrations by the authorChecked against:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children's Christmas book by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author.
Source, pinned revisionName both the book publisher and publication year. 400
Random House in 1957Checked against:
The story was published as a book by Random House in 1957, and at approximately the same time in an issue of Redbook.
Source, pinned revisionA class debates the social issue the book criticizes. Which issue should anchor the discussion? 500
commercialization of Christmas and the holiday seasonChecked against:
The book criticizes the commercialization of Christmas and the holiday season.
Source, pinned revision
A Wordless Snowman
Which Raymond Briggs picture book tells its story without words? 100
The SnowmanChecked against:
The Snowman is a wordless children's picture book by British author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year.
Source, pinned revisionName the British author. 200
Raymond BriggsChecked against:
The Snowman is a wordless children's picture book by British author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year.
Source, pinned revisionWhat unusual text feature defines the book? 300
it is entirely wordlessChecked against:
The book is entirely wordless, and illustrated with only coloured pencils.
Source, pinned revisionCompare its 1978 publishers in the United Kingdom and United States. 400
Hamish Hamilton and Random HouseChecked against:
The Snowman is a wordless children's picture book by British author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year.
Source, pinned revisionAn art class recreates the book with the source's only named medium. What should students use? 500
coloured pencilsChecked against:
The book is entirely wordless, and illustrated with only coloured pencils.
Source, pinned revision
Final round
How is Tchaikovsky's score described in the source?
One of his most famous compositionsChecked against:
Tchaikovsky's score has become one of his most famous compositions.
Source, pinned revision
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