Author of the Week
| Name: |
Marisa Loccisano |
| School: |
P.S. 124 |
| Address: |
40 Division St. |
| City: |
New York, NY, 10002 |
| Original Project: |
Author of the Week |
| Author: |
Stacey Hansen |
| URL: |
http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/santab2003/tnetarchive/hansen/
stacey_authors/sb_stacy_author_cover.htm |
How did you modify this unit for use in your own classroom?: I modified this unit by making it a writing unit, opposed to a reading unit of study. The purpose of my project was to get my first graders to write developed, entertaining stories that others would want to read. As for my writing lesson plans, each day I blew up a poster size copy from a page in a Henkes book, a book the kids were already familiar with. We discussed the writing style of Henkes on the blown up page. Then talked about why they author writes that way. We found out that Kevin Henkes does the following things in his works: -illustrates all around his pages, as in Wemberly Worried -repeats his words, as in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse -uses talking in his illustrations, as in Jessica. We listed these findings on our chart.
List your primary instructional objectives for your students.
| |
Have students embellish their writing with captivating beginnings and endings. |
| |
Teach students the writing style of Kevin Henkes, which they can then emulate in their own writing. |
| |
Introduce students to new vocabulary words that Kevin Henkes uses. Students can adorn their writing pieces with these new words. |
| |
Teach students to write pieces that are entertaining. |
What role did technology play in this curriculum unit?: I used Microsoft Word to make my worksheets. I frequently went on the official site of Kevin Henkes, www.kevinhenkes.com, to find out information on him as an author/illustrator. I was able to develop my unit of study by using this site. There are also student activities, including word searches and mazes for the kids to enjoy.
How did you assess and evaluate student performance?: I assessed my students an the beginning of this study to find out what they already knew about Kevin Henkes' writing style. After that, I continuously assessed them by looking at their writing. By analyzing their writing on a constant basis, I was able to see if they were using Kevin Henkes writing style.
Please tell us briefly about your background & teaching experience: Marisa Loccisano has been working at P.S. 124 for 3 years teaching the first grade.
What are your recommendations for other teachers interested in adapting this unit?: This was a fun unit of study. Sometimes the children are writing just to write. But this unit of study encourages students to write so they can enjoy their work and so others can enjoy it to. |
