An Author Study of Eric Carle
Abstract: Students will become familiar with Eric Carle’s writing and illustrations. They will use this author’s examples to create their own story and illustrations.
Invitation: Do your students enjoy reading Eric Carle books? Are you looking for a way to get them excited about writing? This unit provides a station rotation to guide them through a study of Eric Carle.
Subject: Language Arts
Learning Level: Primary
Author: Jennifer HaberkornStandards:
State Goal 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras, and ideas.
A: Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning.
Benchmark: Understand how authors use elements and techniques in literature.
State Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
B: Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences.
Benchmark: Write to maintain focus.
Benchmark: Write with organization and support/elaboration.
Benchmark: Write for a variety of purposes and audiences.
State Goal 4: Use the language arts to acquire, assess, and communicate information.
A: Locate, organize and use information from various sources to answer questions and solve problems in order to communicate ideas.
Benchmark: Locate, gather, and use information to answer questions and solve problems in order to communicate ideas.
B: Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.
Benchmark: Communicate acquired information, concepts, and ideas.
Situations: This project will begin with the reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and will continue throughout the language arts theme. This will take approximately two to three weeks and will be done in the classroom while students rotate through stations.
Tasks: Students will:
1. Listen to teacher read Eric Carle books aloud.
2. Rotate through Eric Carle stations in groups of 2-3.
A. Computer - Eric Carle’s web site*Students will navigate through this web site and look for information about Eric Carle.B. Computer - CD ROMs*Students will view CD ROMs of the author's storiesC. Books*There will be a wide variety of picture books for students to read.D. Listening Center*This will include several books and tapes of Eric Carle.E. Art*Since Eric Carle's illustrations are made from tissue, students willhave a tissue paper art project. This station could also include making any of the small creatures in his books (caterpillar, firefly, ladybug, cricket, etc.)F. Video*This station will include the video of The Very Hungry Caterpillar in which Eric Carle describes his writing and illustrations.G. Letter writing*Students will write letters to Eric Carle asking any questions they may have for him. (Eric Carle's postal address is P.O. Box 485, Northampton, MA 01060, USA)3. Gather information about Eric Carle while rotating through stations.
4. Send letters to Eric Carle.
5. Discuss information found while rotating through stations.
6. Write and illustrate a story using a style similar to Eric Carle’s.
7. Orally read story to class.
8. Invite parents to school for an Author’s tea.
Interactions: Students will work as a group to complete a station rotation. They will gather information to be used later in writing an individual story. Students will share stories with parents at an Author's Tea. Teacher will create stations, guide students through them and conference with students during writing. Teacher will assist students in mailing letters to Eric Carle.
Assessment: Teacher will assess students by using a group rubric and a writing rubric.
Tools: Computer (s)
Supplies for stories and letters
LTV Box/Television/VCR
Printer
Internet access
Eric Carle picture books
Eric Carle CD ROMs
Art supplies
Listening station (headphones, tapes, books)
URLs:
www.eric-carle.com Eric Carle’s web site is a wealth of information about his life, style of writing, books, and much more. It is easy to navigate for young internet users.
