Author-of-the-Day*

**//(Individual Language Experience Chart)//** Method from //Never Too Early to Write//, Bea Johnson Objectives:
 * Author-of-the-Day**
 * Students will learn language arts concepts.
 * Students will learn the difference between a question and a comment.
 * Students will gain beginning writing skills.

Materials:
 * Pointers
 * Chart tablet
 * Colored Markers
 * Chalk or Dry Erase Board

Activity:
 * 1) Choose an author of the day (I choose a well-behaved, quiet student. I keep a list so that every student is found to be well-behaved and quiet an equal number of times).
 * 2) Write the date (Alternate between whole word form, abbreviated word form, and numbers)
 * 3) Written by . . . (list student’s name)
 * 4) Student dictates sentence.
 * 5) Class repeats the sentence.
 * 6) Teacher writes the sentence while sounding out the words, asking the students questions, and noting key concepts (example: spaces between words, using capitalization, sounding out words, super-silent-magic “e”).
 * 7) Repeat until the chart paper is filled (the smaller the children, the larger the print!)
 * 8) Teacher reads the story using the pointer
 * 9) The class reads the story with the author.
 * 10) The class is allowed to ask the author three questions about the story. After facilitating this the first few times, let the kids take this over.
 * 11) “Magic Words” or other key concepts. Circle the magic word or letter with a colored marker.

Infinitec Websites (myinfinitec.org; resources; reading; reading links; education enrichment activities; early literacy supports):
 * Literacy Center - Early Childhood Reading: Online games and printables targeting beginning literacy skills. Gain practice forming letters and spelling color words  http://www.literacycenter.
 * Reading Between the Lions at pbskids.org: Excellent site for the Five Pillars of Literacy. Games and activities address: phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary
 * Starfall: Online and downloadable activities for students learning letters through those that can read emergent connected text.

Other Resources: __//Never Too Early To Write//__ by Bea Johnson, Maupin House, 1999 This is an invaluable resource for teachers of grades preschool through first. The activities are researched based, manageable, and engaging. I met Mrs. Johnson at a conference 7 years ago. After hearing her speak, I purchased her book and implemented the strategies in my classroom. The results have been amazing.

Ideas for Pointers:
 * Commercially Made
 * Use hot glue to attached cut-outs (craft foam is great) to the end of a wooden dowel
 * Wood

iTouch Application Links:

Build a Word: Move floating letters into the outline provided to spell the name of an animal. Squeeze the letters together with your fingers. The animal word morphs into the animal form. Shake the device to move to the next word. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0L_ggnGxuM