Authors and Illustrators - Linking Technology & Literacy

MMSD Linking Technology & Literacy

Authors and Illustrators

Grade Level: 4 - 5

Standards | Lesson Plan | Template | Assessment

Standards

Language Arts Standards

Identify a purpose for reading, such as gaining information, learning about a viewpoint, and appreciating literature
Write to explain, describe, inform and persuade
Choose precise, descriptive and vivid words
Construct questions abut a topic and narrow the focus

6 Traits + 1

Ideas
Word choice
Presentation

Technology Standards

Uses a graphics program to modify and add detail to a picture.
Uses selection tools in a graphics program to move a graphic to a different location.
Uses a graphics program to create original work.
Uses a word processing program to open, enter, save/save as, word wrap, scroll and print text.
Uses a word processing program to change font, size and style.
Uses a word processing program to compose, edit and print a paragraph.
Uses a word processing program to import graphics.
Uses a word processing program to demonstrate proper use of styles, limited fonts, upper and lower case letters, and spacing after punctuation.
Uses word processing utilities to assist with a published report (i.e., spell checker, electronic thesaurus)

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Lesson Plan

Purpose:

To read books by favorite authors

To check out author Web sites

To discover interesting facts about authors

To generate open-ended questions

To use lively words to show, not tell

To produce a creative and interesting book cover

Step by Step…

Step 1		Read several books by favorite author. Which ones have they heard? Which are their favorites? Which one would they like to hear? What do they already know about the book before they being reading? (Notice the pictures. What can they tell about the story by looking at the pictures?
Step 2		Talk about the author's page. Authors write about themselves in the third person. What would the students like to know about this author? (Use Inspiration to brainstorm questions.)
Step 3		Visit the Official Eric Carle Web Site. Check out the FAQ section. Talk about the questions that are of greatest interest to the students. The following are other interesting author sites: Jan Brett Mem Fox Anna Grossnickle Hines Katherine Patterson Bruce Balan Sandburg Elementary School Authors and Illustrators Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen Robert Munsch Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith Dr. Seuss Audrey and Don Wood Kevin Henkes
Step 4		Have students select two questions from the list generated and add to that other interesting facts about themselves. Key in the facts
Step 5		Open Author template and have students insert a scanned picture of themselves or do a self-portrait using Kid Pix or Claris Painting.
Step 6		Think about a story they might like to write or one they have already written. On one side of the book jacket type in This is how I got the idea for my story… On the other side, insert picture and write the About the Author section. In the center, give the story a title and create an illustration. Save the work and print the book cover. Extended activity Write the story and put the book together. Place in the reading corner for others to enjoy.

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Example of Template

Example of Final Project

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Assessment

Linking Technology & Literacy | Language Arts | Teaching and Learning | MMSD

Updated: July 20, 2006
Editor & Publisher: Paula Srite psrite@madison.k12.wi.us
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