Surfing the Net with Authors

Lesson One: How Does One Surf the Net For Authors:

Instructional Objectives:

Students will be introduced to the Internet by viewing writer/ illustrator Jan Brett’s exemplary web site: janbrett.com. 

Students will compare the picture book stories with the web pages at this site. Introduce and review vocabulary 

for story plot, character and artistic styles including, border, real vs. abstract, and the art media employed.

Estimated time: Two or three, twenty minute sessions.

Materials: Wired Computer(s), teacher bookmarked Internet sites. 

Preset: Collect and read to students several Jan Brett picture storybooks, specifically those which match 

the current course of study. (i.e. animals and selected habitats.) Collect and have available to the students, 

animal and habitat grade level content books.

Vocabulary: Computer, Internet, site, click, book marking, mouse, curser, keyboard, scroll down/up, URL, 

address, and web site.

Procedure:

Whole Class

·        Have the class sit where they can all view the computer. Teacher should have several Jan Brett books close

by to compare with pictures and stories they will find on her web site.

·        Teach/Review the simple parts of computer and URL terms and explain what the Internet is to the students.

·        Tell students that they will be visiting the Internet web site of an author and that they may know this author.

·        At the Jan Brett site, browse and use links which will show the authors illustrations. 

(Teach students how to click on a “button”, or link to move to another page or how you scroll down 

using the mouse).

·        Ask the students if it looks like a storybook they have read recently. Hold up several books and compare

 and contrast the similarities between the web site and the books. Point out colors used, artist medium used 

and the working style of this author/illustrator.

·        Talk about this artist’s style (artistic and story), realistic depictions, composition, colors,

 and borders treatments.

·        As time permits, read several articles and illustrated captions on the web site and have the class vote 

to download/print several of the author’s activity sheets or puppets.

Books/Magazines: Books/Magazines:

Books Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett 



THE UMBRELLA

DAISY COMES HOME

CHRISTMAS TREASURY

HEDGIE'S SURPRISE

THE HAT

COMET'S NINE LIVES 

ARMADILLO RODEO

CHRISTMAS TROLLS

TROUBLE WITH TROLLS

BERLIOZ THE BEAR

THE WILD CHRISTMAS REINDEER 

THE FIRST DOG

ANNIE AND THE WILD ANIMALS

FRITZ AND THE BEAUTIFUL HORSES  



Books Retold and Illustrated by Jan Brett

ON NOAH'S ARK

WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON CHRISTMAS EVE

GINGERBREAD BABY

TOWN MOUSE, COUNTRY MOUSE

THE MITTEN 

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS 

Puppet and color sheet examples from the Jan Brett site.

Web Sites:

http://janbrett.com

This is an exceptional web site is full of down loadable stories, pictures and activities for classroom use.

http://encarta.msn.com

This web site, an extension of Encarta Encyclopedia, is a great starting place for animal and Biome facts.

http://studyweb.com

This site is an extensive search engine for students and teachers. Put in any topic and you will be there.

http://www.yahooligans.com

This is the children’s version of the search directory Yahoo!

http://www.ask.com

This “asks any question site" is a great starting place for information that is leveled for kids reading abilities.

 (Good site for teachers, too).

Activities:

Students draw their favorite animal from the Jan Brett story and/or site.

Students make their drawings into a puppet for a play.

Students or student groups write a letter to be later e-mailed to the author.

Students create a reflective writing about a picture story done by Jan Brett.

Students create an illustration in the “Jan Brett style.”

Students practice reading their story reflections to one another.

Follow-up:

Invite an artist or illustrator to the class to demonstrate their artistic talent and speak to the class.

Encourage students to go online at home and show family members the Jan Brett site.

Students practice their plays for their families.

Students present their plays to Kindergartners or other students.

Animal and Fact, worksheet A

Create a Picture Book page, worksheet B

Assessment:

Students achieve the objectives if they can state the author’s name and simply compare 

what was seen on the web site and the differences between it and the classroom picture book. 

Technology learning is achieved if students can name several parts of the computer correctly

 and note the names of several procedures.