Letters to Authors & Illustrators

April Chadwick & Angela Stone

ECED 4300 BDr. Tonja Root

Fall 2009

3rd grade

Angela StoneDrafting

ELA3W2 The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and

response to literature. The student produces a response to literature that:d. Uses appropriate organizational structures to ensure

coherence (T-charts, compare and contrast, letter to author, rewrite the ending, beginning, middle, and end with details

from the text).

A. Students will draft a letter to the author or illustrator of their favorite children’s book by Patricia Polacco.

April ChadwickEditing

ELA3W2 The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and

response to literature. The student produces a response to literature that:d. Uses appropriate organizational structures to ensure

coherence (T-charts, compare and contrast, letter to author, rewrite the ending, beginning, middle, and end with details

from the text).

A. Students will edit a letter to the author or illustrator of their favorite children’s book by Patricia Polacco.

Letters to Authors & Illustrators

•Letters that you write to the Author or Illustrator. •Expressing feelings about writing.•Expressing feeling about illustrations

Drafting

• This is the stage for writing draft.

• Concentration on content not mechanics.

• Dear Ms. Hamilton,

• My class has just finished reading The House of Dies Drear. Each of them was given the opportunity to comment on your book or to ask questions. Following is a list of some of the best or more often asked questions:

• I liked the mystery story of Dies Drear a lot because of the suspense. I would like to learn more about the triangles and how to use them. -- Sarah H.

• I really like the part of the story in which Mr. Pluto and Mayhew were acting. I would still like to know more about how to use the triangle and the way to read it. -- Chris W.

• I loved the way that you used the triangles. Did you come up with that idea on your own or was it really used? I really want to get the next book! I wonder if they will find more treasure. -- Courtney M.

• I liked the book because of the suspense and the exciting ending of the chapters. The only thing that I didn't like was that I have to read the next book to find out what is in the chest! I am looking forward to reading it anyway! -- Mike K.

• I liked the end of the book where Mayhew, Pesty, Thomas, Mr. Small and Pluto played the trick on the Darrows. I would have liked to see more of Great-Grandma Jeffers throughout the story. -- Brian G.

• I loved it when Thomas, Pesty, Mr. Small and Mayhew scared the living daylights out of the three Darrows. I didn't like it when you didn't tell us what is in the trunk at the end of the story. -- Eric K.

• The thing that I liked best about your book was the mystery and the suspense. You never know what is going to happen next. -- Ben M.

• I really liked it when Thomas was crying for his daddy when he was in the secret tunnel under the stairs. I was not happy that there were no ghosts and that Mr. Pluto was not really the devil. -- Furu A.

• Thank you for writing a book that was so easy to use with my class. They were very interested and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I also like the historical references. We learned a lot about slavery and the Underground Railroad as we read the book. I could not find enough copies of the second book for the class to read so I am reading it to them. They remain as interested and excited about it as they were with the first. Keep writing, we enjoy your work!

• Mrs. Ramona ChilesWilliams Science and Fine Arts Magnet Topeka, Kansas

Editing

• Proof read the letter.

• Correct mechanics

• Have conference with teacher for final preparations.

Resource

Patricia Polacco, Author and Illustrator.

(2009). Retrieved October 25, 2009, from

Teachervision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/writing-composition/lesson-plan/4041.html?detoured=1

http://www.virginiahamilton.com/pages/wow.htm

Graphic Organizer

Patricia Polacco Facts Facts about me

How she does her work How I do my work

Her Family My Family

Where she lives Where I live

Things she loves to do Things I love to do

Patricia Polacco, Author and Illustrator. (2009). Retrieved October 25, 2009, from Teachervision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/writing-composition/lesson-plan/4041.html?detoured=1

Reference

Tompkins, Gail E. (2009). Language Arts

Patterns of Practice Pearson, Upper Saddle

River: New Jersey.

Example:Dear Eve Bunting,I have read some of your books.

All of them had friendship in them. My favorite book is Smoky Night. I think the theme is get along and respect each other. My family needs to learn to respect each other and to get along because I fight with my brother and he fights with my sister.

Example How many picture books have you

written? I have read eight of them. Have you ever met Chris Van Allsberg because we did an author study on him also. Why do you write your books?

Sincerely,

Jeffery

Tompkins, Gail E. (2009). Language Arts Patterns of Practice Pearson, Upper Saddle River: New Jersey.

Practice Activity

• Ask 3rd grade students

to name their favorite author or illustrator.

• Then as a class we can fill out a graphic organizer.

• Use organizer to create a draft with class.

Assessment Activity

• Give 3rd grade students a graphic organizer for Patricia Polacco.

• Use website http://www.patriciapolacco.com for research.

• Use organizer to draft letter to Patricia Polacco.