Teaching the Elements of Literature Using Stories from Infancy to Age-appropriate
Thomas J. Vari
Published September 2006
Tools for this Unit:
Supplementary Lessons8
Students do an author study for one of the books read in-class and then do an author study for their own
novelist. I have students read a few biographies; then imitate the biographical approach on their own, using some
research. This can lead to a presentation.
Students can read some autobiographies written by the authors of some of the in-class readings. They can then
write their own autobiography as a supplement to their story.
When students write their story they can dedicate it to someone, as many authors do. They can put their own
picture on the back cover and illustrate the front cover (using a scanner or computer imaging).
An in-depth interpretation of a story or two, engaging students to look at political ideology, race, gender,
class, and historical context. They can then use these techniques to study their own novel and add a paragraph on
this subject matter to their reader response.
A study in dialogue, how it is used, and the different ways to punctuate characters' voices can be a lesson.
Students can choose one way to use dialogue in their own stories and stay consistent with this usage.
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