Author Study Week

This was a great week where we did an in depth study of five separate authors.  The authors we studied were:  Eric Carle, Jan Brett, Audrey Wood, Mo Willems, and Dr. Suess.  In addition, we took the time to learn about the main elements of a story, such as characters, setting, problem and solution.  I really enjoy this week.  It gives me a great opportunity to teach about story elements and the kids really seem to enjoy learning more about the authors of some of their favorite stories.

The first author we studied was the amazing Eric Carle.

We learned a lot about Eric Carle! Of course, we read lots and lots of books that he wrote and illustrated! :)

To continue working on addition I made this math journal problem that goes along with The Very Hungry Caterpillar. :)

In their writing journal they had to write and illustrate what they would have had the hungry caterpillar eat. 

The second author we studied was the incomparable Audrey Wood.

One of her most beloved stories is The Napping House.   In it a bunch of people and animals sleep and sleep until something unexpected wakes them up. :)  I had the little sweeties practice their writing with this prompt:  There was a child, a dreaming child..... and then they had to write what the child was dreaming about.  

I also made this math journal problem to go along with the story,  The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear.  Our focus this time was problem solving with subtraction. :)

Working on our journal problem. 

We listened to Silly Sally, another Audrey Wood classic!

By FAR, FAR, FAR their favorite author this week was the hilarious Mo Willems! If you have never read any of the pigeon books, I am requesting that you go to the library and check them out!  My goodness how the children love them!  They are interactive and so very entertaining.  I <3 Mo Willems.  His other books, such as Knuffle Bunny, are great too. :)

Learning facts about the authors was so cool. :)

After we read some of his books, and a quick tutorial on how to draw the pigeon character, we made a list of what we decided that we didn't want the pigeon to do or get.

Then, we wrote a book called, Pigeon!  The kids had to choose three things that they didn't want to pigeon to do or get.  Look below to see how the book turned out!  SOOOO cute!!!  (I love the eyes on the pigeon above, it gives him so much emotion.... just like some of the illustrations in the book!) :)

Working on our book.

We did quite a few other Mo Willems activities, but I didn't get pics of any of them. :(  

Our next Author was Jan Brett.  For some reason I forgot to snap a picture of her fact poster. Boo.  Jan Brett is an amazing author and illustrator.  We read quite a few of her stories, such as The Mitten, The Hat, and The Umbrella. We discussed what foreshadowing is and how she uses foreshadowing in her illustrations to help us figure out what will happen next.  I focused this day on the story of The Umbrella.  It takes place in a rainforest and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to throw some science in! :)

We learned about the four different levels of the rainforest.  We learned about some of the animals that live in the rainforest too.  We discussed how important the rainforest is to our planet and how they are located along the equator.  Did you know that if you were in the rainforest it would rain on you 80% of the time?  Don't forget your umbrella!

We also did a wonderful subtraction journal problem to go along with the story, The Mitten.  What a classic! :)

Last, but certainly not least, we learned about the wonderful and amazing Dr. Suess on his birthday, March 2nd!  

We worked on the "at" word family.

We made necklaces using math doubles!

We made hats!

The most amazing, amazing, amazing thing we did though happened at the end of the day.  We had third graders come to our class and we partnered up with them for reading!  Then, with our partner, there was a Dr. Suess activity packet to do.  The kids truly loved this and I am hoping do partner with older students more and more.  I didn't take any pictures because I don't have permission to put the third graders pics on my website..... but it was a wonderful experience for everyone involved!

Here are some other things we did this week:

We had a math journal problem about money!  They had to add up one nickel and three pennies to see how much money they had all together!

We used Mr. Purple Pig a lot this week to help us learn about the names and value of the quarter, nickel, dime, and penny.  Learning money is hard for my little kinders..... but Mr. Purple Pig helps make it fun by talking to them and helping them.  :)

We LOVE Mr. Purple Pig!

We worked on making words!

We made words with our magnet boards.  The kids love doing this!  I love how she used the "sh" that we have been practicing! :)

Next week I am planning on doing a unit on DINOSAURS.  I have never done this unit before, but I have a couple die-hard dino fans in the room and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. :)  Also, if you haven't heard, I found out I am having another little girl!  So, that will make three girls and one boy.  My son was quite sad for about a half hour.... but I believe it is okay with it now.  I feel truly blessed that she looks healthy as can be and so cute in that alien sort of way that they do on ultrasounds!  :)  Have a great week!