Learning from writers helps children see craft and hear voice. As they write, they practice craft and develop their voice.
"From time to time, from the endless flow of our mental imagery, there emerges unexpectedly something that, vague though it may be, seems to carry the promise of a form, a meaning, and, more important, an irresistible poetic charge." -Leo Lionni
Writing Craft
I took all the writing traits and simplified them into five. Each one of these warrant a post, but for now in the writing post I have a resource pdf with some expounded notes.
eloquent figures of speech
precise word choice
concise thought
varied sentences
organized structure
Simple Lesson
Select a passage to read with the mind and heart of a writer. Ask, “What can I learn from this?”
Read with sticky notes handy or write on the page. Identify and mark the writing craft. This may look like underlining transition words, circling words that are impactful or starring the similes.
Reflect on what the writer did well or what might make it better. Write a few minutes mimicking the style of the author, or you can pick a phrase they used and quickly jot down what you think.
As you write throughout the week, consider the craft skills you are using and experiment to find what helps you strengthen your voice.
Traditional Author Study
Select a goal or purpose.
Choose an author and research them
Read and respond to the books
Encourage children to journal their responses to the readings
Stories are powerful ways to teach character development, creative thinking and aid in memory. A story connects to each of us differently. Stories can be therapeutic, inspiring, and entertaining. The authors can be our mentors in having a message and articulating it in memorable ways.
Read Aloud Revival has contemporary authors teaching skills and giving prompts for those who have a membership.
Author Study Prompts
Write a story map.
Write a sequel or prequel chapter.
Write a scene from a different person's point of view.
Make a scene of the story into a play and write the script.
Write a poem using the theme or truths we discussed.
Tell a scene from the story in your own words.
Compare two books by the same author.
Write a book review.
What advice would the author give you about writing if they were here?
The Read Aloud Revival offers a family book club in which you read a book, have an experience connected, and then watch a live interview with the author or illustrator. This is part of their membership. We enjoyed a trial and submitted our own questions, one of which was picked and answered. If we become members again, we would align our Storytelling Studio to the author event.
Possible Author Studies
Eric Carle
Christopher Paul Curtis
Jan Brett
Tomie DePaola
Cynthia Rylant
Mo Willems
E.B. White
Patricia Polacco
Kevin Henkes
Kate DiCamillo
Example:
Background of Author Leo Lionni
Leo Lionni was an artist and wrote books for children. We did not have formal art lessons, but went to museums and taught himself how to draw as a child. He was born in Holland, but moved to Milan after he got married. He became a graphic designer. He then moved to America and worked as an art director and for an advertising agency. He was the artist director for a magazine.
One day he was with his bored grandchildren on a train ride and made up a story. He turned the story into a book and began writing children's books. He wrote over 40 books. He died in Italy at the age of 89.
Books to Read
Alexander and the Wind up Mouse
Frederick
It's Mine
Inch by Inch
Reading Response Ideas
1. Sentence Combining
Cups were flying.
Saucers were flying.
Spoons were flying.
They were flying in all directions.
Leo's sentence: Cups, saucers, and spoons were flying in all directions. -Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
2. Story Extension
Tell a story that would be a sequel to a book. What lesson did the character learn and how did they act differently.
3. Gather Words
Read Frederick. Liken the story to ourselves and this time of isolation. Collect words that are uplifting and positive. We could collect a happy song list, encouraging quotes and faith promoting scriptures.
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