You’ll be working on an author study using online resources. This will take several days both in and outside class. You’ll have library time to work on this, too.

First, please understand that you’re not just going to cut-n-paste from one source to another. There’s a three-step process called CONSUME – CRITIQUE – PRODUCE that you’re expected to use. Here’s how it works:

Consume

Gather all the info you can on your author and READ it.

· Keep track of your sources – URLs, page #s, authors

· Highlight specific dates or titles ONLY

Critique

Go BACK and RE-READ the information, asking yourself:

· What was the significance of that piece of info?

· Why was that piece of info included in the article?

· What can I infer from it?

Record your THOUGHTS and IMPRESSIONS in your notes.

This is your PONDERING and SYNTHESIZING stage.

Produce

Once you’ve PONDERED and SYNTHESIZED the info, then you can begin to write:

Put it in your OWN words
Your writing should reflect your OWN thoughts

So let’s get started!

Step #1: Consume

Here are several sites that include author profiles and biographies:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/ - This is the BEST source we have. It features author interviews, study guides, book excerpts, and more. If needed, use the password WFLSLS

http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/authors.asp - Mostly children’s authors, but some YA authors.

http://www.classicreader.com/allauthor.htm - Mostly classic authors

http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/ab/biolist.htm - Contemporary and popular writers

Step #2: Critique

Open the Author Graphic Organizer and complete it. Do NOT copy verbatim from the information sources. This is where you SYNTHESIZE the information, looking for deeper meaning.

Step #3: Produce

Open this link and complete the online BioCube. Check for accuracy before you print!

http://readwritethink.org/materials/bio_cube/