Authors Alive:
Students’ Twist on Famous Works
HOW IT WORKS
Authors Alive: Students’
Twist on Famous Works is a thematic English/Language
Arts program that incorporates the use of technology.
To reach all components of a balanced literacy unit,
various strategies are implemented using books by
Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert. Strategies include read-alouds,
reading and listening comprehension, sentence structure,
sequencing, character development, and setting.
During one such lesson, the students listen to The
Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
They then retell the story, with illustrations from
the book as a guide. Retelling the story helps in
the sequencing activity that follows. The students
have previously learned what sequencing is and apply
their knowledge to this story. They then focus on
the beginning, middle, and end of the story, and
are asked to use their imagination to alter the
story and create a new one as a class. The skills
they learned are then applied to their individual
stories. For their final project, the students create
a story of their own based on the works of Eric
Carle or Lois Ehlert. With computer assistance and
a little imagination, they ultimately complete and
publish their own book.
THE STUDENTS
Thirteen students of various academic levels participate
in this program. Although this program has been
developed for students with disabilities, it can
be used with children of all ability levels. Within
the classroom, students are given the opportunity
to work on their books in large groups and also
work independently during scheduled time in the
writing center. The students practice using the
Internet, KidPix, Clipart, and Board Maker programs
during biweekly computer classes. They also continue
to develop their keyboarding skills. Adapted books
along with small-group and individual read-alouds
ensure exposure and understanding of the text by
all students regardless of functioning level.
THE STAFF
Camille Blake has been a teacher at P.S. 176 for
the past four years. She received her Master’s Degree
in Special Education from the College of New Rochelle.
Stefanie Pavelka has been teaching for the past
three years. They have developed and adapted curriculum
to meet the academic and social needs for students
with autism. Serving on the Literacy, Math, and
Science committees has allowed them to work with
administration and other staff members to better
serve the needs of their students.
WHAT YOU NEED
The program requires several computers with Internet
access software (Kid Pix, Clipart, Board Maker),
a printer, multiple copies of books by Eric Carle
and Lois Ehlert, a video camera, videotape, paper,
pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, glue, camera,
film, and laminating paper.
OVERALL VALUE
By incorporating books and technology, Authors Alive:
Students’ Twist on Famous Works gives students the
opportunity to use their imagination in a new way.
In publishing their own books and presenting them
to an audience, the students feel a sense of pride
and accomplishment. |