It’s no secret that I love incorporating paired passages into my seasonal instruction, and this Christmas paired text activity is one of my favorites! Over the past several years, there have been several books written about the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and with it being such a prominent image over the holidays, I knew I had to create these Rockefeller Christmas tree literacy activities to help students learn more about it! 

You can use these free Rockefeller Christmas tree literacy activities, related Rockefeller picture books (Amazon affiliate link), and differentiated, detailed informational text passages to practice synthesizing sources and exploring perspectives. 

Rockefeller Christmas Tree Book Comparisons

I have chosen exceptional picture books that help students learn about The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree while also engaging them in rich stories of friendship. The picture books (Amazon affiliate link) all have similar themes and similar characters but are told from different points of view and with different perspectives. This makes them the perfect set to compare and contrast details.

Merry and Hark (Amazon affiliate link) will take your students on an enchanting journey with Merry, the little owl with big dreams in this tale. Inspired by the legendary Hero Owls from her favorite stories, Merry longs for a thrilling adventure of her own. However, she believes that such adventures are beyond the reach of little owls like herself. That is, until one fateful nap in her tree leads to an awakening in a bustling, unfamiliar city. As the world around her buzzes with life and excitement, Merry’s grand adventure truly begins. Join Merry as she navigates this vibrant urban landscape, full of new challenges and discoveries, all while trying to find her way back to the familiar comforts of home. This story captures the essence of courage and curiosity, reminding us all that sometimes, the most unexpected journeys can lead to the most extraordinary adventures.

Red and Lulu (Amazon affiliate link) is a story about a pair of cardinals who live in a beautiful evergreen tree. However, their home is cut down and transported to New York City to be the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Red and Lulu are separated during the journey, but their love and determination lead them back together.

The Christmas Owl (Amazon affiliate link) is a heartwarming tale perfect for the holiday season. Follow Little Owl as she embarks on a journey from doubt to discovery. When her beloved tree home is cut down to make way for a Christmas tree, Little Owl finds herself bewildered and unsure about the festive season. It’s only when she encounters Ellen, a kind-hearted woman with a home brimming with joyous decorations and a sanctuary for birds needing care, that Little Owl’s perspective begins to shift. Surrounded by new feathered friends, Little Owl starts to see the magic of Christmas unfold before her eyes. This story beautifully illustrates how friendship and kindness can transform even the most skeptical hearts, offering a comforting reminder of what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.

Free Rockefeller Christmas Synthesizing Activities

You can pair this free Rockefeller Christmas Tree packet with the picture books for a complete literacy unit! I spend about a week reading the books and completing these texts so that students have ample opportunities to synthesize all the information they’ve learned about this landmark!  

The free Rockefeller Christmas tree literacy activities include:

• Two differentiated passages
• Central Idea Tracker
• Depth and Complexity Discussion Cards
• Comprehension Discussion Cards
• Student Anchor Chart
• Fact Collector
• Postcard Activity

More Upper Elementary Christmas Activities

If you loved these Rockefeller Christmas tree literacy activities, you’ll also love these posts!

Using Christmas picture books allows your students to capture the magic, wonder, and excitement of the holiday season. I’ve compiled my TOP TEN favorite Christmas picture books to use in the classroom in this post.

If you don’t celebrate Christmas in your classroom, this post has 15 winter read alouds instead!

It’s also the perfect time to explore how other cultures. Visit this holidays around the world post for three ways to teach about different holidays in your classroom as well as a book list to find related picture books.

To extend the Christmas spirit beyond your literacy block, visit this Christmas math and literacy ideas post for a collection of engaging (and educational!) Christmas math and Christmas literacy activities that are perfect for upper elementary students.