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Write to the Author

Students will create a pop-up card for an author of a book they love.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Heavy Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Ask students about some of their favorite books. Do they have a favorite author? What was the theme of a book that spoke to them? Was there a character they particularly identified with? Have a discussion about the power books have to move readers.

  • Step 2

    Have students create a pop-up card to send to the author of a book they loved. They can illustrate it and write a message to the author.  To make the card, illustrate the cover and inner panels of the heavy paper. A pop-up feature can be added by taping an additional character or scene  to the inside top or side of the card that will be attached  with a small strip of paper that will pull the pop-up into view when the card is opened. 

  • Step 3

    Have students present their cards to the class at an interim stage of development so they can gather feedbcak and embellish their idea before completing the work. Have students research where to send the card by exploring either the author's website or the publisher's site. Some authors provide a mailing addres,s but more often the publisher will collect mail for their authors and distribute it to them periodically. 

Standards

LA: Add drawings or other visual displays to written text to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings. 

SEL: Relationship Skills: Communicate clearly/effectively, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively. 

Adaptations

Have students write a note to the author of the book they chose from the perspective of one of the characters. They might thank the author for providing fun situations for the character or helping the character learn and grow. Enourage them to respond to a specific examples from the story. Students benefit from this experience whether or not this note would be mailed.

Challenge students to write and illustrate a short book of their own. They can use several pieces of folded paper to create it.