Objective
Students will develop reading, research, and writing skills by studying the life and works of an author of novels (chapter books) for young people, reflecting on how they personally respond to the author’s books, and creating a report about the author’s life and work.
Choosing An Author
Each student will choose an author who has written two or more books for children ages 10-14. Students should choose books that they have not read before. Award- winning authors and well-known authors are the best choices. Mr.. Muth will help students select their authors and approve their choices. Students may choose the same author as another student, with permission from Mr.. Muth.
Reading
Students will read two books by their chosen author. Students should use those two books for their reading journal grades so as not to overwhelm themselves with extra work. Reading time may be provided during library class, but most reading will be done outside of library.
Research
Students will conduct research about their author both in and out of library class. Students will learn about the author’s life and career, awards won, books written, and other details. With guidance from Mr. Muth, students will create a Works Cited Page (bibliography) to document the sources from which they have gathered information.
Culminating Project
Students will create posters that reflect what they have learned and discovered about the author and his or her books. The posters will have text and images. Posters will be presented to the class so that other students can learn about great authors. Each poster must also have an accompanying works cited page. Posters will be displayed in the hallways and library of Saint Joseph School.
Purpose
Students will have the opportunity to read books by an author they love or want to discover, learn something about the life of the author, research something that relates to them, and become stronger readers and better researchers.