District: Schenectady City Schools

School/District Representative: Susan Malinowski

SLO Project Name: Author Study

Authored By: Kristen Becker, Kathy Kohler, Lisa Larsen, Kelly Opiela, Jennifer Paley

Grade Level(s): K-5

Subject Area(s): Language Arts

Objective (Learning Context): The Students will be applying the Language Arts standards to further enhance their knowledge and understanding of the authors and their work.

Procedure:

1. The students will choose an author or grade level.
2. The students will be directed to the author menu page where they will investigate the biography, student work, and author’s webpage.
3. Students will then complete the activities found on the student assessment page.
4. Exploration of other grade level authors is encouraged.

Instructional Modifications: Activities can be completed in cooperative learning groups or by using peer tutors. Mentors can be used as well.

Time Required: Ongoing project—time is subject to individual teacher’s discretion.

Resources: See related web sites. Reference slide in presentation

Curriculum Standards Referenced:

ELA-

Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding

• Students will listen, speak, read, and write for information and understanding.
• Students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations;
• Students will use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts.
• Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

Standard 2: Language for literary response and expression.

• Students will read and listen to oral, written, and electronically produced texts and performances from literature.
• Students will develop an understanding of the diverse social, historical, and cultural dimensions the texts and performances represent.
• Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for self-expression and artistic creation.

Standard 3: Language for critical analysis and evaluation.

• Students will listen, speak, read, and write for critical analysis and evaluation.
• Students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria.
• Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to present, from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.

Standard 4: Language for social interaction.

• Students will listen, speak, read, and write for social interaction.
• Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for effective social communication
• Students will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.

Performance Indicators: See What we have Learned slides in presentation

Assessments: See What We Have Learned slides in presentation

Exemplars:

Students will:

• listen to and follow directions
• present information orally and in writing
• use the biography and internet to gather information
• observe and describe
• illustrate
• use Writing Process
• compare and contrast

Reflections:

This project addressed all modalities of learning at each grade level. It is an ongoing project that the students will be able to refer to and complete. Teachers will be able to add or delete tasks and information from their author pages as needed.