Author Study
Name______
We will begin an author study project. Your assignment is to select an author and read THREE books by that author. In addition, you will research the life of the author. The purpose of this project is to become an EXPERT on an author and some of his or her works. You will be provided with some class time which should be matched by at least 20 minutes of reading time per day at home.
Steps:
1. Select an author.
2. Select possible titles for your reading.
3. Get the author and titles approved by your parents and teacher.
4. READ! READ! READ!
5. Research the author. Use the author research page as a guide. We will do the research and write the actual biography in class.
6. As you complete each book, fill out the graphic organizers provided.
7. Write a friendly letter to the author.
8. Create a tri-fold display board showcasing all you have learned about your author and his/her writing style.
9. Create and present a character talk, author talk, or a book talk.
You will be shown examples of completed projects as well as ways to complete individual components in class in the coming weeks.
Important Dates:
Know three books/parent signature page Monday, January 7
Author Biography Friday, February 8
First book/organizer completed Friday, February 15
Second book/organizer completed Friday, February 22
Third book/organizer completed Friday, March 1
Display board Friday, March 8
Author Study Showcase Tuesday, March 12
Reading Project Product (Tri-fold)
The product you will create for your reading project will be a tri-fold display board that includes the following:
· A title (author’s name) and picture of the author should be displayed. This should be neatly done and organized in a way that invites people toward your project.
· A copy of your author’s biography (article) that we complete in class must be displayed on your board.
· The titles of your books you read must be neatly and creatively displayed. You may want to include a copy of the covers of the books as well. Under each title/cover, rate the book on a scale of how much you enjoyed it with 1, 2, 3, 4, or to 5 (1 star being the worst and 5 being the best).
· Book report graphic organizers for each book must be neatly displayed. The organizers may be typed or you can neatly handwrite on the paper copies.
· A copy of the friendly letter written to your author. Also, if you were lucky enough to have received a reply from your author already, include this as well.
Author Research Checklist
It is time to start researching your author and preparing both your informal oral research presentation and your author biography. Use this sheet to keep track of the information that you gather. Make sure you RECORD your works cited information as you research. Use at least TWO sources.
1. Author______
2. Date/place of birth______
3. List of published books (at least 5)
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______
______
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______
4. Ten facts about your author (family, awards, childhood, hobbies, other jobs, school experience, personality, how he/she gets ideas for books, etc.)
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5.______
6. ______
7. ______
8. ______
9. ______
10. ______
Works Cited (Use the attached examples to site resources correctly).
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
6. ______
Author Study
Name______
Date______
DUE DATE______
Choose three books that you will use to complete the author study following these guidelines:
ü One book can be a reread
ü Fiction
ü All three books are by the same author (but don’t have to be a series)
ü Choose books that will be “just right” for you
Author ______
Books that you have previously read by this author:
Books you plan on reading as part of this reading project:
Parent’s Signature______
Teacher’s signature______
Know three books/parent signature page Monday, January 7
Author Biography Friday, February 8
First book/organizer completed Friday, February 15
Second book/organizer completed Friday, February 22
Third book/organizer completed Friday, March 1
Display board Friday, March 8
Author Study Showcase Tuesday, March 12
Author Study Scoring Rubric
Read three books by the same author…………………………______/5
First graphic organizer……………………………………………… ______/5
Second graphic organizer………………………………………….______/5
Third graphic organizer ……………………………………………..______/5
Completed author research……………………………………….______/5
Friendly letter…………………………………………………………..______/10
Attended author study showcase………………………………..______/10
Display board:
Neatness……………………………………………………………….______/10
Title and picture of author…………………………………………______/10
Article and friendly letter displayed……………………………..______/10
Book titles and organizers…………………………………………______/10
Presentation (speaking, answering questions, costume)…..______/10
Total………………………………………………………………….______100
Comments:
Name: ______