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Author studies ignite learning in the classroom! plan your author study calendar today!
How Author Studies Ignite Learning and a Love of Literacy

Children’s interest in reading is stimulated when they are made aware of the people behind a book's creation: the authors, illustrators, and translators.

Author studies provide us with the opportunity to give the gift of the BEST books. Read on to discover just why you need to plan out your author study calendar. This DONE FOR YOU guide will outline the year and simplify your planning.
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Take a peek at what you'll get

Teachers love things done for them, right? This yearly planner takes the guesswork out of author study planning.

Author Study Yearly Plan for K-5
Author Study Yearly Plan for Kindergarten
Author Study Yearly Plan for K-5
Author Study Yearly Plan for K-5
Author Study Yearly Plan for K-5
Author Study Yearly Plan for K-5
Author Study Yearly Plan for K-5
Author Study Yearly Plan for Kindergarten
Author Study Yearly Plan for First Grade
Author Study Yearly Plan for Second Grade
Author Study Yearly Plan for K-5 for Third Grade
Author Study Yearly Plan for Fourth Grade
Author Study Yearly Plan for Fifth Grade
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need more evidence on why you need to use author studies? Check these out...

author studies make kids want to read more!

Do you recall your favorite books from elementary school? Chances are pretty good that you remember the special connection to who shared them with you just as much as you remember the book itself. However, these special connections can entice readers to look for more by the author. When I share my favorite Patricia Polacco books as mentor texts, my students race to the Patricia Polacco section of the library to find more. Then, as students finish the books, they talk about them. Guess what the result is? Yes, they want more! But why else should we consider using author studies in our classrooms?

There are so many reasons, but I’ll share a few more below just in case you need more convincing.

Using author studies in the classroom can ignite learning for students. Teachers expose students to the best authors and texts helping them want more. Here, you'll learn about how author studies support literacy growth, improve writing, develop comprehension skills, and so much more. Plus, readers can access a DONE FOR YOU author study planner that can be shared with their teaching teams.

Author Studies provide access to great literature

Another reason to use author studies with your students is for the quality of literature. Not all authors are equal, so carefully selecting authors FOR YOUR GRADE LEVEL is important. Most choose a target age or audience for the books they write. THIS POST gives you a starting list and many more reasons to use author studies. For class read alouds, you might choose books just slightly above your grade level in order to increase exposure to new vocabulary words.
Using author studies in the classroom can ignite learning for students. Teachers expose students to the best authors and texts helping them want more. Here, you'll learn about how author studies support literacy growth, improve writing, develop comprehension skills, and so much more. Plus, readers can access a DONE FOR YOU author study planner that can be shared with their teaching teams.

authors for the k/1 crowd

For the k/1 crowd, you might look for authors that write about relatable themes. In my experience working with K/1 teachers, thematic teaching worked VERY well. You can pull in themed poetry, tie in nonfiction, and use reader’s theater scripts to build skills.

For this age, Eric Carle is a favorite because of his insect books. You might also enjoy Lois Ehlert’s books too and compare them. Arnold Lobel’s classic Frog and Toad series make my favorites list too because the vocabulary is controlled helping students feel success with their first chapter books.

Using author studies in the classroom can ignite learning for students. Teachers expose students to the best authors and texts helping them want more. Here, you'll learn about how author studies support literacy growth, improve writing, develop comprehension skills, and so much more. Plus, readers can access a DONE FOR YOU author study planner that can be shared with their teaching teams.

Middle grade authors

This group is transitioning to chapter books, but for author studies, I suggest picture books. Why? They are rich in vocabulary and short enough to use for your lessons. I recommend Kevin Henkes, Leo Lionni, and Karma Wilson for second grade. For third grade, I love Mem Fox, Tomie dePaola, and Jan Brett. I know some primary teachers use Jan Brett’s books, but the reading levels are more appropriate for third and even fourth. 

With all of the selected authors and titles, I encourage you to use them as mentor texts for author’s craft, comprehension skills, and writing. You are sure to find a plethora of writing topics you can tie to each book.

Using author studies in the classroom can ignite learning for students. Teachers expose students to the best authors and texts helping them want more. Here, you'll learn about how author studies support literacy growth, improve writing, develop comprehension skills, and so much more. Plus, readers can access a DONE FOR YOU author study planner that can be shared with their teaching teams.

Upper Elementary authors

Upper elementary students are NOT too old for picture books! Patricia Polacco has enriched many lives with her themes and wonderful writing, and she’s truly my favorite for this range. I also LOVE Chris VanAllsburg, William Steig, Cynthia Rylant, and Eve Bunting for reading and writing mentor text lessons. 

Because it’s important to include a variety of genres in your reading and writing instruction, I featured a few nonfiction authors as well as poets. With fictional texts, I recommend pairing with related nonfiction in order to work on fiction and nonfiction skills. You’re sure to love the titles and find many ways to showcase them.

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author studies bring students together

In addition to building excitement and exposure to great literature, author students unite your students with a shared experience. Students get the opportunity to talk about the wonderful books they’ve enjoyed, the themes, the author’s writing style (which we hope they copy) and so much more. Author students are also so much fun for teachers. You get to share all of your favorites. In fact, many teachers comment that they prefer author studies over the reading textbook any day of the week.

Here's what teachers have had to say about my author studies...

Wow! This bundle is worth every penny. My high schoolers in special education are doing a fall author study on Ms. Polacco. This bundle has saved me so much time and energy, so that I can focus on hybrid instruction. Thank you so much!
Patricia Polacco Author Study by Comprehension Connection
The Coral Seahorse
TPT Seller/Customer
I wish I could just use these instead of my reading series! I planned to use this on a short week when I didn't want to assign a new story in the reading book. It ended up being used by my sub since we were quarantined. The students LOVED it! I will be using these again and purchasing other author studies as well. Thank you!
Jan Brett Author Study by Comprehension Connection
Donna B.
3rd Grade
I am really looking forward to using this bundle with my firsties. The activities will be highly motivating to complete; thought provoking, fun, and educational activities on Leo Lionni.
How Author Studies Ignite Learning and a Love of Literacy
Holly G
1st Grade

Author studies done for you!

Short on time and need materials at your fingertips? No worries! I have you covered. You can check these out or search for your favorite author here or in my TPT store. I have lots to choose from!

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