Author Study

3-4th grades (adaptable)
Rosa Parks Elementary
Developed by: Dayna Lykins, Nicole Kirkbride, Vanessa Justice, & Bonnie Hall

Organizer:

How does an author communicate effectively to a reader?

Academic Expectations and Demonstrators:

1.2 – Students make sense of the variety of materials they read. 

1.4 - Students make sense of the various messages to which they listen. 

1.16 - Students use computers and other kinds of technology to collect, organize, and communicate information and ideas. 

2.24 - Students have knowledge of major works of art, music, and literature and appreciate creativity and the contributions of the arts and humanities. 

Essential Questions:

Culminating Activity:

Groups of students will create a website on their author. The site will include the following elements:

  • General biographical information on the author
  • A link to the author’s book that each group read
  • Students will demonstrate the different writing elements of each book.
  • A contrast/comparison of an author’s style between different books.

Rubric
 

Web Page Content

Web Page Aesthetics

4
  • Identify the genre of this book.
  • Using the same writing style as the author, describe how the author engages or hooks the reader’s attention.
  • List all of the story elements of this book in an artistic manner.
  • Demonstrates extensively how the author has connected a piece of literature to a real life situation by relating it to a specific situation you have experienced or know about (drawing, writing, performance, etc.).
  • Cite three different instances of literary devices and/or examples of descriptive language where the author "shows, not tells."
  • Text is readable (contrasting colors, simple background, etc.)
  • Page shows individual creativity.
  • Minimal scrolling needed to view information.
  • Page contains navigation links to class/school page.

3
  • Identify the genre of this book.
  • Demonstrate in descriptive language how the author engages or hooks the reader’s attention.
  • List all of the story elements of this book in a legible manner.
  • Demonstrates accurately how the author has connected a piece of literature to a real life situation by relating it to a specific situation you have experienced or know about (drawing, writing, performance, etc.).
  • Cite three different instances of literary devices and/or examples of descriptive language where the author "shows, not tells."
  • Text is readable (contrasting colors, simple background, etc.)
  • Page shows individual creativity.
  • Some scrolling needed to view information.
  • Page contains navigation links to class/school page.

2
  • Identify the genre of this book.
  • Demonstrate how the author engages or hooks the reader’s attention.
  • List three of the story elements of this book in a legible manner.
  • Demonstrates with minimal errors how the author has connected a piece of literature to a real life situation by relating it to a specific situation you have experienced or know about (drawing, writing, performance, etc.).
  • Cite two different instances of literary devices and/or examples of descriptive language where the author "shows, not tells."
  • Text is somewhat difficult to read (non-contrasting colors, busy background, difficult font, etc.)
  • Page shows little creativity.
  • Scrolling needed to view information.
  • Page contains navigation links to class/school page.

1
  • Identify the genre of this book.
  • List less than three of the story elements of this.
  • Demonstrates with many errors how the author has connected a piece of literature to a real life situation by relating it to a situation you have experienced or know about (drawing, writing, performance, etc.).
  • Cite one instance of literary devices and/or examples of descriptive language where the author "shows, not tells."
  • Text is difficult to read (non-contrasting colors, busy background, difficult font, etc.)
  • Scrolling needed to view information.
  • Page does not contain navigation links to class/school page.

Knowledge (Core Content)

RD-E-1.0.6
Explain the meaning of a passage taken from texts appropriate for elementary school students.

RD-E-1.0.7
Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and plays. 

RD-E-1.0.8
Describe characters, plot, setting, and problem/solution of a passage. 

RD-E-1.0.10
Connect literature to students’ lives and real world issues.

WR-E-1.3  
Literary writing artfully communicates with the reader about the human condition. Literary forms in the portfolio include poems, short stories, and scripts. Characteristics of literary writing may include

  • descriptive language
  • literary elements of the selected form (e.g., short story--character, poem-- rhythm, script--stage directions)
  • literary devices (e.g., personification, end rhyme, similes, metaphors)
  • effective ordering of events, impressions, and descriptions
  • creation of an effect (e.g., comedy, suspense, horror)
  • focus on engaging an audience

Technology Standards

T4.4 Locate information using the Internet

T4.4.1 Determine when Internet search may be effective

T4.4.2 Access and navigate web sites

T4.7 Locate information from application software (word processor, HTML Editor)

T4.7.1 Use links and buttons

T4.8 Locate information from other sources and devices

T4.8.1 Locate appropriate information media such as DVD, video, laser disc, etc.

T5.3 Evaluate information from the Internet

T5.3.2 Scan for information within an Internet document

T5.9 Use Electronic Mail Software

T5.9.2 Send electronic mail

T6.2 Publish information on the Internet.

T6.5 Create a presentation or product using application software.

T6.5.1 Choose appropriate information for purpose and audience

T6.6 Use digital imaging and audio

T6.6.1 Use digital media for image input and output (camera, scanner, video camera)

Skills and Procedures

Instructional Activities

Timeline for Unit
 

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Week 1

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 3

Week 2

Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Week 3

Lesson 4, Lesson 5

Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Lesson 4, Lesson 6

Lesson 4, Lesson 6

Week 4

Lesson 4, Lesson 7 (Lab)

Lesson 4, Lesson 8 (Lib.)

Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Week 5

Lesson 9

Lesson 9

Lesson 9

Lesson 10

Lesson 10

Week 6

Lesson 10

Lesson 10

Lesson 10

Lesson 10

Lesson 10

Lesson Goals

Lesson 1: Introduce Genre

Objective: Students will understand the characteristics of different genres of literature.

Description: Class will discuss the different aspects of various genres of literatures. Examples covered may include realistic fiction, fantasy, mystery, non-fiction, and others. Whole class will create a matrix/chart that shows the characteristics of the different genres.

Assessment: Teacher will present specific books to small groups to have them identify what genre it belongs to. If necessary the teacher will give some characteristics of the book to help students.

Lesson 2: Story Introductions

Objective: Students will identify how an author engages a reader.

Description: Teacher will read selection to class and discuss how the author has engaged the audience. Literary devices may be introduced as well as elements that offer visualization to the reader.

Assessment: Students will respond in a literature journal identifying how the author engaged the reader.

Lesson 3: Begin Group Stories

Objective: Students will obtain background information about their author and his/her books.

Description: Teacher will discuss the author(s) and introduce the stories. Teacher will give the background information and set the story.

Assessment: Students will write the information about their story in their literature journals.

Lesson 4: Reading Stories

Objective: Students will read their story.

Description: Students will read their story and respond to different guiding questions each day.

Assessment: Reflection in literature journal.

Lesson 5: Connecting Writing to Real Life

Objective: Students will identify how their author connects the story to real life situations.

Description: Teacher will discuss how effective writing often relates to real life situations. Each group will identify the parts of their story that are related to real life.

Assessment: Reflection in literature journal.

Lesson 6: Literary Devices

Objective: Students will identify the literary devices that are present in their story.

Description: Teach will cover/review the different literary devices and their uses. Students will then identify examples of different devices present in their own story. They will also discuss why these are used or how they improve the reader’s experience.

Assessment: Students will then identify examples of different devices present in their own story. They will also discuss why these are used or how they improve the reader’s experience.

Lesson 7: Introduce FrontPage

Objective: Students will learn the basics of creating a webpage using Microsoft FrontPage.

Description: Students will be introduced to the software and create a basic webpage. They will learn to insert pictures and basic font formatting and adding hyperlinks.

Assessment: Students will create a basic webpage about a favorite hobby or activity of theirs.

Lesson 8: Biographical Research

Objective: Students will research information about their author.

Description: Students will find information about the author. They have specific research questions to answer as well as finding some interesting facts about the person.

Assessment: Students will complete research worksheet on the author.

Lesson 9: Story Elements

Objective: Students will identify how different books by the same author carry the same story elements.

Description: As the groups finish the books, the class will discuss story elements such as character, characterization, setting, conflict, resolution, etc. Each group will write/share the story elements in a story map form using Inspiration software and present these to the class. The whole class will discuss how these aspects of the stories are different.

Assessment: Students will create a story map of their book.

Lesson 10: Create Webpage

Objective: Students will create a webpage showcasing their group’s author.

Description: Students will build a webpage that shows biographical information about the author. They will also demonstrate story elements from the book and discuss the writer’s style. The class will also compare/contrast how the author’s style is different between different books.

Assessment: Webpage will be assessed per rubric. Send evaluation sheet home for parents to complete.

Critical Resources

Back to Rosa Parks

Back to PET Project