2. An Author/Illustrator WebQuest designed for K-3 rd Graders Created by Jennifer Fishburn and Kay Roberts Teacher’s Page

3. INTRODUCTION: Your favorite author/illustrator is coming to visit your school. You have been chosen to give the introduction of the author to the entire student body. Can you handle this extremely important job and make our guest feel as comfortable as possible? You will need to be prepared. In the process of doing so, you will complete an author study and become an expert on the author.

4. Your Author Task In your quest for information to present about your author, you will be required to do the following jobs: Read at least 3 books by the author Research web information and compile a short biography Email your author to find out school visit information Create a poster advertising your author’s visit including a picture, biography, and bibliography. Send a follow-up letter to the author thanking them for coming and sharing how you felt the presentation went.

5. The Process Follow these steps in becoming an author expert: Step One: Choose your authorStep One Step Two: Read 3 books by the authorStep Two Step Three: Gather your information and record in a graphic organizer. Use this to write the introduction biography.Step Three graphic organizer Step Four: Compose and send an email to your author requesting visit informationStep Fouremail Step Five: Watch this video on public speakingStep Five Step Six: Create a poster of advertisementStep Six Step Seven: Send a follow-up thank youStep Seven Conclusion

6. Author Books Click on author photo to see lists of books. Click on the blue button to return to the process. Lois Ehlert Denise Fleming Eric Carle Kevin Henkes Click on a book to read one!

7. Which author are you going to study? Click on your author photo to learn more about that person. Click the blue arrow to return to the process. Lois EhlertDenise FlemingEric CarleKevin Henkes

8. Author Email Address http://www.eric-carle.com/guestbook.html Email Denise http://www.harperchildrens.com/catalog/eve nt_search.asp?authorID=16903 http://www.harperchildrens.c om/authorintro/signup.asp?a uthorid=12055&nav=xx Click here to return to the process.

9. Teacher’s Page Kindergarten Language Arts GLEs: 16. Describe the role of an author and an illustrator (ELA ‑ 7 ‑ E3) 28. Demonstrate an understanding of letter placement in text by writing letters and words from left to right and top to bottom on a page (ELA ‑ 3 ‑ E1) 1 st Grade Language Arts GLEs: 8. Identify the author and the illustrator of a book (ELA ‑ 1 ‑ E2) 29. Independently write a variety of grade ‑ appropriate compositions, including: simple letters, notes, and stories; simple informational descriptions; simple rhymes and poems (ELA ‑ 2 ‑ E4) 2 nd Grade Language Arts GLEs: 19. Identify the author's viewpoint (i.e., perspective) in a text (ELA ‑ 7 ‑ E3) 26. Write for various purposes, including: letters or invitations that include relevant information and follow a letter/envelope format; informal writing, including messages, journals, notes, and poems (ELA ‑ 2 ‑ E6) 3 rd Grade Language Arts GLEs: 19. Identify an author’s purpose for writing, including persuading, entertaining, and informing (ELA ‑ 7 ‑ E3) 20. Explain the author's viewpoint using information from the text (ELA ‑ 7 ‑ E3) Evaluation Page

10. Evaluation Children's Author Study criteria1234Total s Participation on Author Study Selected an AuthorSelected an Author, Read at least 1 book Selected an Author, Read at least 2 books Selected an Author, Read at least 3 books Gathering Information and Graphic Organizer Read Information on the internet Gathered some information form the internet, but did not complete a graphic organizer Gathered information from the internet and completed graphic organizer Gathered information from the internet, completed graphic organizer and compiled a short biography. Poster of Advertisement Poster is not creative, neat and colorful-- missing information Poster is not creative, neat and colorful-- accurate information Poster is creative, neat and colorful -- information not accurate Poster is creative, colorful, and neat -- accurate information Letter/E-mail to the Author Your name, Author's name spelled incorrectly Your name, Author's name is typed correctly Your name, Author's name, Incorrect spelling and grammar, Thoughts and Ideas not organized Your name Author's name, correct spelling and grammar, Organized thoughts and Ideas Oral Presentation No important information, No complete sentences, didn't speak clearly, low volume Important information about the author, No complete sentences, didn't speak clearly, low volume Important information about the author, complete sentences, did not speak clearly, low volume Important information about the author, speaks clearly, volume, complete sentences Comments: Rated by: Grand Total: This is how you will be graded.

11. Conclusion Our school is SO proud of you for making the author/illustrator feel SO welcome! You also learned a lot about the author and used your creativity along the journey. Send a follow-up email to your author thanking them for the visit also including some thoughts you had about how the experience went.email Here are some more resources for exploring other authors: Children's and Young Adults' Authors & Illustrators http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/biochildhome.htm http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/biochildhome.htm Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site http://www.carolhurst.com/authors/authors.html http://www.carolhurst.com/authors/authors.html Authors on Yahooligans http://www.yahooligans.com/School_Bell/Language_Arts/Authors/ http://www.yahooligans.com/School_Bell/Language_Arts/Authors/ Author Spotlight http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/author/index.html. http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/author/index.html Online Writing Resources for Children http://www.zianet.com/cjcox/edutech4learning/onlinewritingresources.html http://www.zianet.com/cjcox/edutech4learning/onlinewritingresources.html Authors and Illustrators on the Web http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/authors.html http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/authors.html