CULMINATING PROJECT: Author Study
This year, the goal is to become a reader. Hopefully, you will follow directions and set aside a minimum of 30 minutes to read each and every day of the school year. If you create this habit, it will continue, and readers really are the leaders. After you have had the opportunity to read a few books, your next job will be to choose one author you really like. You will then read four books by that author, research the author, and prepare a presentation to persuade your classmates that your author and his/her books are worth a read.
Let's take a look at our goal.
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#1 First and foremost, choose an author and begin reading.
Over the next couple of months, you will want to check on your own progress to decide if you are moving along and a strategic rate. Choose one of the checklists below to use to decide if you should be working harder. If so, create a plan to complete your work in a timely fashion.
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#2 Second, begin researching and write a biography of your author.
When writing the biography of your author, search for intriguing information that offers some insight into why your author writes as he/she does. Reading about the place of birth, elementary school, mother's and father's names, and such can become rather boring. Seek information that shows events in the author's life that may have influenced his/her writing. Some students will be writing a complete research paper; others may simply be typing their author's information into the "Author Bio Form" below. Follow the directions of your teacher.
If you're assigned the research paper...
Click on this button to print the step-by-step guide to help you write your author study research paper. |
Here are a few sample outlines / essays.
Here's the rubric by which you will earn your points. Always strive for top points in each category.
If you're assigned the "All About My Author" Form...
Click on this button to access the form on which you can type in your author information for your display.
Here is a sample of my "All About My Author" Form on Edgar Allan Poe.
Here's the rubric by which you will earn your points. Always strive for top points in each category.
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#3 Third, plan out your Author Study Display and Presentation.
To present your books to the class, you will create a book project for each book. Here is a list of possible projects, but feel free to create a project not listed on the sheet if it seems appropriate for your book. (See me for approval.)
See below for some examples.