Videos + Worksheets
Part One: What is an Author?
The segment introduces Alane to the students, giving a little bit of her background and how she became an author, and introduces the importance of imagination. Then Alane magically transports to a barn where she reads from her award-winning picture book The Egg Thief. The segment ends with the task of students thinking about the things an author has to think about in order to write a good story.
Video Length: 14 mins 5 seconds
Suggested Classroom Discussion Time: 30 mins
Vimeo blocked? Watch the videos on-site here.
Worksheet 1 & 2: What Comes First & The Egg Thief
Using the What Comes First worksheet, have students brainstorm individually or as a class what some of the first things an author has to think about when they’re writing a story. Discuss their answers as a class before starting Part Two. Complete The Egg Thief worksheet so students are ready to discuss the important elements that make up a good story.
Note: These worksheets can be filled out on a computer or printed out.
Part Two: What Makes A Good Story?
In this episode, Alane discusses some of the important concepts an author has to think about in order to write a good story. Concepts covered include title, characters, setting, and the importance of a big problem for a story to be interesting. With fun illustrations and side-by-side comparisons of her picture books, students will be able to quickly master these concepts and develop a deeper understanding of what author’s do when they are writing stories.
Video Length: 8 mins 28 seconds
Suggested Classroom Discussion Time: 30 mins
Vimeo blocked? Watch the videos on-site here.
Worksheet: 3-5
Using the Character worksheet, encourage students to think of an interesting character to write a story about. Have them share their characters with the class and tell a bit about what makes their character interesting. The Setting worksheet reinforces the concept of setting in story writing by reminding students of The Egg Thief scene elements. What’s The Big Problem takes a familiar story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and teaches students the importance of conflict to a story by having them revisit Goldilocks and think about the different problems she encounters.
Note: These worksheets can be filled out on a computer or printed out.
Bonus Worksheets
Two bonus worksheets have been included for teachers seeking to continue to deepen students understanding. The first worksheet, Happily Never After helps students connect the idea that stories are about solving problems which is why most stories have happy endings. The final worksheet is a genre exercise to teach students about the many different types of stories they will read.
Note: These worksheets can be filled out on a computer or printed out.