If you’re looking for a heartwarming story to share with your students this winter, The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen is the perfect choice. This beloved picture book not only captures the magic of the season but also teaches powerful lessons about kindness and generosity—values we all want to instill in our students.
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ABOUT THIS FUN WINTER READ ALOUD
Set in a small, snowy town, the story follows an elderly woman named Sarah who notices children at the bus stop without mittens. Quietly and without seeking recognition, she knits mittens in vibrant colors and hangs them on a tree for the children to find. Her thoughtful gesture inspires a ripple effect of giving, as others in the community join in the spirit of giving.
With its gentle illustrations and timeless message, The Mitten Tree is a perfect winter read aloud that sparks meaningful discussions about helping others and spreading warmth in our communities.
You can find this book on Amazon.
Your class will also enjoy watching a fun video of the story.
A WINTER READ ALOUD THAT TEACHES KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY
Once you’ve introduced your students to The Mitten Tree through a read aloud, there are countless ways to extend the learning and deepen their understanding of the book’s themes. Here are some engaging activities and teaching strategies to pair with this heartwarming story:
1. Discuss the Themes of Kindness and Generosity
After reading, lead a class discussion about Sarah’s actions. Ask students:
- Why do you think Sarah chose to give mittens without seeking recognition?
- How did her actions inspire others in the story?
- Can you think of ways to show kindness and generosity in your own life?
Encourage students to share personal examples or brainstorm ideas for acts of kindness they can do as a class or at home.
2. Writing Activity: “My Mitten”
Have students imagine their own “mitten tree.”
- Who would they help, and how?
- What items would they share on their tree?
Students can write a short paragraph or story about their imaginary mitten tree and illustrate it. - Use THIS mitten themed writing paper and add your own prompt. Be sure to download it to be able to edit it. Here are some prompt suggestions:
- A Gift from the Heart: Write about a time when you gave someone a gift that wasn’t expensive but meant a lot to them. How did it make you feel to be generous? How did they react?
- Generosity in Action: Imagine you found a treasure chest filled with resources to help others (like food, clothes, or money). Write a story about how you would use it to make a difference in your community.
- A Chain Reaction of Kindness: Write a story about a small act of generosity you did (real or imagined) that inspired someone else to do something kind. How far do you think your actions could ripple?
- The Secret Giver: Imagine you’re like the elderly woman in The Mitten Tree, secretly helping others. Write about what you would do to spread kindness without anyone knowing it was you.
- A Generous Hero: Create a character who is known for their generous spirit. Describe what motivates them to help others and tell a story about one of their greatest acts of generosity.
3. Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer
This story provides excellent opportunities to practice cause and effect relationships.
- Use a graphic organizer to map out the cause (Sarah sees children without mittens) and the effect (she knits and hangs mittens on the tree).
- Extend this activity by encouraging students to identify how one kind act can lead to many others.
4. Art and Craft: Design a Mitten
Let students get creative by designing their own mitten. Provide templates or let them draw freehand. Add patterns, colors, or even 3D elements like yarn or cotton. Display their mitten art in a classroom mitten tree!
Here is a great video to help students with designs for their mitten. Go to minute 3:31 to get started.
5. Drawing conclusions and making inferences
After reading how all the children were playing in the snow, except for a boy in blue. He stood away from the others with his hands sunk deep in his pockets. Ask: Why do you think he wasn’t playing in the snow?
When Sarah got out her yarn and started to knit, ask “What do you think she is making?”
Why do you think Sarah hid the mittens in a tree?
THE MITTEN TREE BOOK COMPANION
If you’re looking for even more ways to bring The Mitten Tree to life in your classroom, I’ve created a comprehensive book companion filled with engaging activities to make your winter read aloud even more meaningful. With interactive tasks, mystery words, and a focus on kindness and generosity, this resource is designed to inspire and captivate your students while supporting key learning objectives
I chose eight tier 2 vocabulary words from winter read aloud for students to learn. Each word is on a card that has a kid-friendly definition, an example sentence, and a photo representing the word. These can be printed or projected from the PDF. There is also a narrated video presentation.
This isn’t just any book companion—it’s an interactive adventure! As students engage with the activities, they’ll uncover mystery words, each bringing them closer to the ultimate challenge: cracking the final code word. Once they succeed, reward their detective work with a special coloring sheet that reveals the punchline to a fun joke. Opting for the digital version? Students can enter the code word on a Google Form, adding a tech-savvy twist to the fun.
The activities included in this winter read aloud book companion include:
- Cause and Effect – Helps students understand key events and improve reading comprehension.
- Nonfiction Passage – Connects the story to real-world concepts with an informational passage comparing mittens and gloves.
- Vocabulary Puzzle – Reinforces new words in a fun and interactive way.
- Subject-Verb Agreement – Strengthens grammar skills with meaningful practice.
- Simple and Compound Sentences – Encourages sentence-building and writing fluency.
- Comprehension Questions – Ensures students grasp the story’s details.
Click the image below to grab a copy of this winter read aloud book companion.
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