Here is a list of some fun and extremely talented authors that can be the focus of your author study. The books written by these authors represent varying elementary themes. For ideas on how to implement an author study, check out an example on Eric Carle.
Here is a page for making your own Printable Name Tags. I used these when I was teaching in a summer preschool program. I printed the page off on heavy duty card stock, cut out one strip per student, and then laminated them. I used them as a writing center for little ones to practice writing their names (in this case, I also had to provide many of the kids with a card that already had their name on it). You could also introduce them during the first days of school. For example, before laminating the cards, write each child’s name using a black marker. After lamintaing, place them on the left-hand side of a pocket chart that is visible for the kids when they enter the room in the mornings. As children enter the room to start each day, have them find their name and practice writing it by tracing what you have already done for them. They can then move their cards to the right-hand side of the pocket chart to let you know they are present at school. It’s quick, easy, inexpensive, AND reusable-love it!
This is a worksheet that can be used to assess the ability to recognize numbers and their spellings.
Recommended Grade Level: First
Abstract: This activity is primarily used as an informal tool to assess the recognition of various colors, animals and their sounds. It can be used with a small or large group.
Objective: To assess students’ ability to recognize various colors, animals and their sounds.
Grade level: Pre-K and Kindergarten
Materials: Brown, Brown, What Do You See? by Eric Carle
Animal printouts (print on heavy paper, cut and laminate)
Procedure: Large Group
Gather students on the “carpet area”. Students are told that they are going to hear a story that they may have heard before. Share some of the elements of the book-title, author, characteristics of Eric Carle books (use of animals, bright colors). This will lead into stating the objective. Students are told that you want to see if they can find the animals as you read the book. Also, that you are going to ask them questions about each animals’ color and the sound they make. Remind students that they will be called on and that you don’t want them to blurt out. Everyone will get turn. This rule is usually repeated several times! Encourage students to read ALONG with you if they remember the story. Lay some of the animals out in front of you or magnet clip them to the board so the students can see them. As you read, call on students to physically choose the animal from the group of animals that corresponds to the page you are on. Once an animal is chosen, ask another student to tell you the color and another to tell the sound of the animal. After each animal is chosen, add more to the group to be selected. I usually have no more than a field of 3-4 animals for the children to choose from. Towards the end of the story, a page filled with children is shown. This page can be used to identify students within the class that may look similar to the children in the book. The last page of the book lists all of the animals. It can be used to initiate physical activity. Have the children stand and repeat with you each animal, their color, their sound and movement as you point to each. You will find that after this activity, students will request it over and over throughout the school year.
During the first two weeks of school, I engage my first grade students in an author study. This is a great way to introduce your students to the elements of literature and your favorite author. I personally love Eric Carle and find him to be a hit with most kids because of the nature of his stories. His illustrations are also very recognizable for young readers.
How to: I begin by telling the students about the author. I show pictures of the author and give a brief history of the author’s life. Each day I read a selection from one of Eric Carle’s collection of books. After a story has been read, the story is discussed in detail (title, author, patterns in the illustrations, story plot, etc.). Using large chart paper, I make a large graph to hang during our author study. The graph is something that we fill in as we read each book. The graph allows us to see commonalities between the books the author has written. An example of the graph categories are:
Book Title Kind of Pictures Main Idea Main Characters Setting Problem Solved?
I then lead the class in a written activity based on what we discussed about the book. I have on hand a copy of the front cover of the book (for the kids to refer to) and an overhead projector. I use a transparency of the “Author Study Worksheet” on the overhead projector and guide the students through the completion of their own worksheet. This activity is a great way to assess your students’ handwriting and speed during those first days of school.
Extension: For each book we study, I also have the students engage in a follow-up art activity in which they can make a character or something related to the book.
An author study can be a great project for any time of the year. Complete one so children understand what an author study entails. Children can then choose their own author to study by reading from their collection.
These are the books I suggest by Eric Carle:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Mixed-Up Chameleon
The Honeybee and the Robber
The Very Busy Spider
The Very Foolish Tortoise
A House for Hermit Crab
Little Cloud
The Very Lonely Firefly
Pancakes, Pancakes!
A list of additional authors for your study can be viewed here.
