Reading Lesson: Celebrate an Author

EducationWorld is pleased to feature this K-6 science lesson adapted from School Volunteer Handbook: A Simple Guide for K-6 Teachers and Parents, by Yael Calhoun and Elizabeth Q. Finlinson (Lila Press, 2011).

The lesson plan, shared with the permission of the authors, is a great example of a short activity with simple instructions that appeals to a diverse group of parent interests and teacher needs. The activity is an ideal one for implementation by classroom volunteers.

See other School Volunteer Handbook activities:
A Lesson in Character: Connect With Yourself
Be the Boss: A Lesson Plan On Managing Feelings
Lesson to Celebrate Diversity: The Unity Necklace

In the coming months, be sure to visit EducationWorld for more activities from School Volunteer Handbook. The book (including two CDs, one of all the handouts and one of the GreenTREE Yoga 5-minute classroom yoga breaks) contains more than 50 activities and lessons, retails for $25 (with free shipping) and is available at www.lilapress.com (visit site for free downloads).

About the authors

Yael Calhoun, MA, MS, RYT, is an author and educator who has taught preschool through college. She also has worked as an environmental planner and has written over a dozen books. Currently, she is a cofounder and the Executive Director of GreenTREE Yoga, a nonprofit committed to bringing the benefits of yoga to diverse populations.

Elizabeth Q. Finlinson, LCSW,is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked as a school therapist, volunteer coordinator, and as a private practitioner specializing in children and families. She teaches character education and physical education and is an active school volunteer.

Subjects

Reading
Language Arts

Grade

K-6

Brief Description

Students learn about authors’ lives and books, then form personal reading lists based on their interests.

Objectives

Students will:

• Be exposed to popular, multicultural and less well-known authors
• Learn about a specific author’s life
• Become aware that an author may have written other books to enjoy

Time: 30 minutes

Materials Needed

• Books by the same author
• Book list
• Pencils

Lesson Plan

Preparation

1. Choose an author. Pick a personal favorite, talk with a librarian, or see the Multicultural Book Suggestions list.
2. Locate the books. Collect several books by the spotlighted author. You can carry them in a basket or a bag.
3. Book lists. Prepare and make copies of the list of book titles and the author.
4. Read. For younger grades, read the picture books aloud to yourself so you know where students can repeat phrases, mimic sounds, or do some simple body movements (hands, faces). For older grades, familiarize yourself with the story and select a paragraph or page to read aloud. If you have time, select a short chapter to read aloud. (Make sure to read a page aloud first to determine how long it takes.)

Part 1:Discussion Points

1. Favorite authors. Ask the students if they have a favorite author. Have they read other books by that author? Share what you have learned about the author with the students.
2. Book list. Hand out the book list so students can mark the books they would like to read.

Part 2: Meet the Author

Younger grades:

Read an entire book aloud. Choose a story that creates the opportunity for student involvement. After you read selected pages from the other story books, encourage the students to use their book lists to find books at a library.

Older grades:

• Describe the plot of one book and read a page or two from that book.
• Continue the process for each book you have chosen.
• Encourage students to mark their lists as you go.
• Involve the students. Again, finish the discussion by asking which books they have checked, and why they are interested in the story. One student’s interest may well spark a classmate’s interest in the book.

To Extend the Lesson:

• Share what you like. See Scholastic’s Share What You’re Reading for student opportunities to share what they are reading with classmates and discover new books based on other students’ recommendations. The site has good teacher resources, too.
• Share the books. Again, buying books from school book clubs, library used book sales, yard sales, and the Internet are inexpensive ways to stock your basket of books.
• Check out Web sites. Look at an author’s Web site. Often there are interesting facts about the author’s life, fun art projects, teacher pages and other ideas to highlight the books.
• Hold a book exchange. It may be appropriate to collect books and then hold a book exchange (book ‘recycling’) or donate the books to a school in need. Note: The books should be approved by the school librarian or other school staff before being included in an exchange.

Bulletin Board Idea:

Language Arts/Art: “What We Like To Read”

Create a display of artwork inspired by favorite books. Remember that some students are more comfortable expressing themselves in forms other than the written word.

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