KINDERGARTEN AUTHOR STUDY UNITS
A Cross-Subject Approach
Authors: Mary-Ann Vanderstoep, John Calvin Christian School
Jennifer Onderwater, Credo Christian Elementary School
Rationale: Language Arts is an essential part of a kindergarten program. Exposure to language, literature, illustrations and stories are all crucial for the development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Many kindergarten programs incorporate language skills into every subject area and weave all subject areas into language arts. The use of themes is one way that kindergarten incorporates the goals of multiple subjects throughout the day, week or even month. Using a particular author as base for a theme is what we have set out to do. Each author can be introduced and their books used as the starting point for language appreciation, writing, listening , and reading. These authors’ books can also then be incorporated into the goals of science, health, math and socials.
Authors Included: The authors have been selected based on their extensive work, appeal to this age group, versatility and quality.
There are 9 authors included in these units: Frank Asch, Stan & Jan Berenstain, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, Tana Hoban, Pat Hutchins, Leo Lionni and H.A. Rey.
British Columbia Curriculum:The BC Curriculum, Building Student Success, contains Core Competencies, Big Ideas, Curricular Competencies, Teaching Strategies and Assessment Strategies. We have also incorporated all of these elements into these author unit plans.
Core Competencies – broad skills which are developed throughout every subject area and grade level. They are divided into three categories: communication skills, thinking skills and personal and social skills. They are represented by three icons at the top of each author page and then throughout the teaching strategies section. Teachers are encouraged to develop these core competencies whenever it is “natural” and links well with the subject, topic or activity.
Big Ideas – the large concepts being taught within each subject area. The English Language Arts Big Ideas have been included in these author units. The Big Ideas have been modified to align with the mission and beliefs of our Christian schools.
Curricular Competencies - concepts, attitudes and skills which are developed in each subject area. These author units include the English Language Arts curricular competencies listed first. Curricular competencies from other subject areas that apply to the author or books selected are listed second.
Teaching Strategies/Methods and Assessment Strategies/Methods – ideas, activities, and content are listed in these categories. The goal was to offer numerous options that are practical and easy to incorporate into any kindergarten classroom. There are a variety of activities from language arts, math, science, socials and health.
Additional Resources:These author study units are not exhaustive. There are numerous books, activities and lessons which could be added. The goal is for this to be a resource and starting point for teachers. A brief biography of each author and a list of their books is included to assist teachers in extending their own author studies.
Disclaimer: Many of the ideas and resources listed are not our own. We have borrowed from excellent web sites and on-line resources.