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AUTHOR Kiviranta, Victoria; And OthersTITLE Startins a Young Authors Club.INSTITUTION Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield.PUB DATE Feb 85NOTE 22p.PUB TYPE Guides - Non-Classro, Use (055)

EDRS PRICEDESCRIPTORS

IDENTIFIERS

N701/PC01 Plus Postage.*Authors; *Creative Writing; Elementary Education;*Extracurricular Activities; Writing Skills; *YouthClubsBookmaking; *Writing Projects; *Young Authors

ABSTRACTIntended for teachers interested in promoting writing

and young authors at their schools, this booklet contains guidelinesand suggestions for creating a young authors club. Included are aplan for creating the club, a sample fact sheet for promoting it, aparent letter, guidelines and suggestions, timelines for planningclub meetings, activities for three club meetings, culminatingactivities that cover binding books and making booklets with drymount, and ideas to share and display books. (EL)

*********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the bast that can be made ** from the original document. *

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TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) "

4

PREFACEInterested in promoting writing at yourschool? Need something new to try that willproduce exciting and rewarding results? Trya YOUNG AUTHORS CLUB!

The club is developed as a result of:

1. InteretA in children's writing and thewriting process;

2. The philosophy that a// children canwrite, therefore, fulfilling the desireto work with students at all gradelevels;

3. Involvement with the State YoungAuthors Conference;

4. Commitment to having a greaternumber of students from the schoolwrite books for the Local and StateYoung Authors Conference.

Where to begin? The Illinois State Board ofEducation appreciates the contributions ofVictoria Kiviranta. Michelle Koppenhagenand Molly Norwood of Palatine District #15

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who wrote this booklet containing guidelinesand suggestions for creating a Young Au-thors Club. Included are a proposal. a parentletter, fir:Wines. and an outline of activitiesthat can be used. We hope this material willbe beneficial to you in promoting writingand young authors at your school.

Note: By mid-October all school districtsreceive information and guidelinesregarding the State Young AuthorsConference held in May of each year.This conference, not a contest.honors young authors throughoutthe state. Information regarding theState Young Authors Conference isavailable upon request from:

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Program Planning and DevelopmentIllinois State Board of Education100 North First StreetSpringfield, Illinois 62777217/782-2826

A GOOD BEGINNING(Getting Started)

The first step in planning a Young AuthorsClub is to develop a purpose, goals and ob-jectives. The following itetrilti should be con-sidered during this initial planning:

Sponsors.

Purpose,

Goals and objectives,

Grade level(s) to be included,

Maximum number of students,

Meeting place and date,

Timeline for activities.

In some school districts it may be necessaryto submit a prop sal or plan for approval. Fol-lowing is an example of one school district'sproposal for a Young Authors Club.

1 4

SAMPLE PLANYOUNG AUTHORS CLUB

Purpose: To provide an opportunity for stu-dents to become young authors.

Objectives:

Meetings:

Tuesday11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To develop and strengthen basic Grades K-3skills (reading and writing) through 15 students total Room 100writing books. Grades 4-6

To provide motivation for writing.20 students total Room 203

To stimulate creative thinking. Timeline:

To be a medium to share writing be-tween wade levels. Sept. 1-10 Motivational posters displayed

Sept. 10-12 Sign up and selection ofTo provide an opportunity to work memberswith peers. Sept. 13 Letter to parentsTo provide an introduction to dif- Sept. 20 First meetingferent styles and types of writing. May 29 Last meeting

To develop an understanding of thewriting process. Sponsom:

K-34-6

Mr. JorgsMrs. Smith

Capturing the atten' ion and interest of stu-dents is the next important step in the devel-opment of a Young Authors Club. This canbe achieved by displaying attractive, eye-catching posters throughout the school. Usethe acronym YAC and keep it a secret fromstaff as well as students.

Display posters for approximately 10 days.when interest has peaked, it is time to sharethe secret through

an assembly,

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a presentation by an author of child-ren's literature,

sponsors giving a "sales pitch" in in-dividual classrooms,

any combination of activities.

For maximum effectiveness it is vital thatthese presentations be done in exciting anddramatic ways. It is recommended thatsome type of Young Authors Club "factsheet" be distributed. This "fact sheet"should contain the purpose of the club andhow to become a Young Author s Clubmember.

EXAMPLES OF POSTERS

pege.kp.c) ACI

rRowavYAC! 44ict

Keep Your

Open ForYAC!

rHave You

Heard theNews?

YAC is coming!

3

YAC ismI

4149411CN

SPeCtaalC/ westme

A HAPPENING

I e'l°'(magazine collagi)

Timeto

Write

SAMPLE FACT SHEET

Who:-

What:

When:

eWhere:

\ Why:

How:

Who is wanted?

My Favorite DenBear With Me

Circus Tricks amilJokes & Riddles Friends

Life as a Cub Picnic Fun

Any student interested in writingAny student who would like to become an author

Any student especially YOU!.

What can you do?Join YAC Young Authors ClubLearn how to write books, jokes, riddles, and plays.

When can you start!The first meeting is September 20 during our lunch hour (11:30-12:30).

Where do you go?Grade K-3 students become authors in Room 100.

Grade 4-6 students become authors in Room 203.

Why join in?To become an author and to participate in many fun, rewarding writing

activities!

How do you join YAC?Fill out the bottom of this sheet and return to your teacher TODAY!

Name

YES! I want to join YAC - Young Authors Club

Grade_

RoomTeacher

4

Encourage all students to become YoungAuthors Club members. Any student shouldbe eligible to join including students in spe-cial p.ograms BAH. BD, Bilingual. Chap-ter 1, etc.).

If more students want to join the Young Au-thors Club than can be accommodated, havea lottery using the tear-off slips from thebottom of the "fact sheet" If the response isoverwhelming, a waiting list may be pre-pared. Another alternative would be to seekan add'tional sponsor.

After the students have been selected, senda letter to their parents. The letter shouldstate the purpose of the club and the re-sponsibility of members and parents.(Sample letter on following page.)

Alternatives

There are several alternatives regardingscheduling and student participation thatmay be considered in organizing a YoungAuthors Club

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Scheduling

Club meeting times other than the lunchhour may include before and after school,Saturdays, or during a school-scheduled "ac-tivity period." A consideration in determiningscheduling would be the transportation ofchildren to and from school.

Student Participation

The number of students participating in a

Young Authors Club depends on the availa-bility of club sponsors and school enroll-ment. The club's members may be composedof

students from all grade levels (i.e.,all students in the school eligible toparticipate).

a specific grade level (a Young Au-thors Club for second graders),

a combination of grades (a club forfifth and sixth graders only/.

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SAMPLE LETTER

SCHOOL

Dear Parents:

September 13. 1 9...._.._

Your child has been selected to become a member of the Young Authors Club (YAC) atSchool. The purpose of this club is to encourage a variety of writing

activities. Members will be required to write a book for participation in the District and StateYoung Authors Conference.

Your child has been made aware of the amount of extra time and responsibility required to be aYAC member. We plan to meet during (TIME AND DAY). As publishing time approaches, it maybe necessary for members to come before school or stay after school to complete their projects.Also at this time we will be asking for some parent assistance.

This will be an exciting and rewarding experience. Please read and sign the Young Authors ClubContract with your child and have him/her bring it to our first meeting. Thank you for youicooperation.

Sincerely.

YAC Sponsors

YOUNG AUTHORS CLUB CONTRACT

I will be an active, responsible member of School's Young Authors Club. Iunderstand this involves devoting extra time and effort to this activity.

Student Signature Date

I give my permission for to become a member ofSchool's Young Authors Club I will support and encourage my child's participation in this club.

Parent Signature Date

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AN ACTION-PACKED MIDDLE(Guidelines and Suggestions)

READY

SET

GO

Careful planning of each meeting is a must.

Time is li.nited and deadlines Mr District andState Young Author Co, iierences must bemet. The State Young authors Guidelinesare annually mailed to District Superinten-dents by October. The club sponsors shouldobtain a copy so that activities will coincidewith the State Program. Therefore, it is im-perative to plan and adhere to a timelini, andschedule of activities. However, if the schoolor school district is not participating in anyconferences. it may not be necessary tofollow suggested timelines. In any case, aYoung Authors Club can be a valuable andreward'ng activity.

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TIMELINES FOR PLANNINGYOUNG AUTHORS CLUB MEETINGS

Get-acquainted activities (SEPTEMBER) Writing the book (November-December)

Interviewing techniques 1.

Writing activities using members' names 2.

3.

Authoring a book (OCTOBER-FEBRUARY) 4.

Preparation (October) 5.

1. Discuss story parts (setting, charac-ters, problem, action, climax, con-clusion, etc.)

2 Read examples of a variety of writ-ing styles

3. Discuss the "5 W's" (who, what,where, when. why)

4. Brainstorm ideas

The rough draftRevisingRewriting (if necessary)Editing (peer and individual editingtechniques)Parental involvement (Parents maybe inserviced to aid in editing,taking dictation, preparing manu-scripts, binding books, etc.)

The final copy (January-Febri:ary)

1. Size and shape of book2. Type of print (regular or primary

type. hand printed or written, wordprocessor, etc.)

3. Illustrations4. Binding

Additional typesof writing activities; (MARCH-APRIL)

PoetryJokes and RiddlesPlays

ACTIVITIES FOR THREEYOUNG AUTHORS CLUB MEETINGS

1. Getting Aquainted2. Characterization3. The 5 W's and Sentence Starters

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GETTING AQUAINTED

1. After r;i,..ub wI-iy writing is furs,

haw each stu46,1 design individuclfo!der covers using "Name Acrostics'For example:

Marvelous

A graeable

Rich

Young

Students write descriptions of them-selves using each letter of their firstnames.

Interviews. Students choose partnersand ask first factual questions such as:

Ho old are you? How do you feelabout

Who is your best friend?

What hobbies do you have?

Where is your favorite place to visit?

When have you had the most fun?

Then ask "Crazy" questions. Don't forgetto use who. what. where, when, andwhy.

If you were a machine, what would yoube and why?

If you were a col what would you beand why?

How would you feel if you were aninsect?

Who is your favorite adult? Why wouldyou like to be him/her?

3. Riddles. Select an object in the room orbring a favorite object or picture of it tothe meeting. i.ru several riddles togetheras a group. D;scuss description, strangecharacteristics of selected objects. meta-phors. similes, etc. Have students writea riddle and illustrate it if possible. Forexample:

1013

I'm a mammal and a quadruped and anend feared species. I live by eatingplants. My home is an island I'm cuteand .;uddly as a "loll with eyes as largeas black saucers. Can you guess what Iam? (A Koala Bear)

RiddIF written by

CHARACTERIZATION

A meeting discussing and writing aboutcharacters and characteristics can be verybeneficial to the young author.

1. Read several stor ; passages relating todescription of characters, behavior, attri-butes, etc.

James and the Giant Peach Roald DahlDear Mr. Henshaw Beverly ClearyIsabelle the ItchConstance Greene

2. Discuss the word isage of characteris-tics through metaphors and similes.Make a list of similes and metaphors.

She's a regulc..; adding machine.Her face turned white as a sheet.The baby's eyes twinkled like ti e stars.He was strong as an ox.Mr. Smith's bark is worse than his bite.

3. Brainstorm and make lists of words de-scribing characters. The club sponsorshould make these lists available to allclub members either by posting lists inthe meeting room or ma!'ing copies formembers to have in their folders. De-scriptive words fat, pale, plump,skinny. etc. Personality words happy,friendly, rude, shy. etc.

4. Select a character (may be done indi-vidually, in small groups, or entiregroup). Take 5-10 minutes to think ofthe character's personality, behavior,looks, etc.

5. Write a description of the character. Asstudents write, provide yuidani a bymentioning how does he/she walk, howwill his/her voice sound, why wouldhe/she be a good friend, etc.

6. Write questions to ask the character. Forexample:

Where did you find you -pet?Why do you wear such an old black coat?What is your favorite food?

7. If time allows, draw a picture of the char-acter. Put the picture and description inthe student's folder. This m be usedlater in developing a story.

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THE 5 W'sAND SENTENCE STARTERS

Understanding the '5 W's" (who, what,where, when, why) provides a base for writ-ing interesting sentences and expandingideas. Knowing a variety of words for startingsentences will help eliminate the overuse of'then: 'next: and "and: etc.

1. With club members. discuss and make alist of words and/or phrases for startingsentences and for each "W." Someexamples are:

WHO

Motherthe coachmy classthe fireman

WHEN

somedaytomorrowafter darkearlier this week

WHAT

the chairairplaneskyscraperpencil and paper

WHY

because she was illto buy new clothesto visit her cousinbecause she is hungry

WHERE

on the flowin the wateraround the blockdown the roar.

SENTENCE STARTERS

suddenlymeanwhilelatercarefullyfinally

beforesadlysoonrecerit'yfirst, sccond...

2. Post these lists in the meeting room.Here club members add to the lists 33often as possible.

3. As a writing activity for this meeting,have students write sentences using aword or phrase off each list. Allow timefor members to share their sentences

12 with others.

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A HAPPY ENDING(Culminating Activities)

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

Students have worked hard making theirbooks, and their work and efforts must berecognized. The following "publishing" (shar-ing and displaying books) ideas and recogni-tion incentives and activities are ways thatwill reward children for their special effortsthroughout the year. These suggestions pro-vide opportunities for students to know thattheir ideas arg of worth and valued by peersand aters. It is important to help studentsrealize they have truly become YOUNGAUTHORS.

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BINDING BOOKSSince the young author's book is a treasured be sure to have on hand:item that will be handled and displayed, asturdy cover is recommended. Listed are markers scissorsseveral ways to bind a book. The title or kind crayons stick on lettersof book, number of pages, type of print, and stencils ringsintended audience should be considered in holepuncherdetermining the kind of binding used. brads

taw:Prepare for binding books by gatheri: ; mate-rials throughout the school year. Have clubmembers bring:

fabric scraps'contact paper (clear and colored)cardboardwallpaper samplesglueyarn and ribbongift-wrapping ribbons

if the books are going to be handled a lot,contact paper over any type of cover isrecommended.

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TheI Magic

ShowI

BOOKBINDING IDEAS

Staples

yarn or ribbon

TheTrainRide

Manilla folder with plastic binder

i° Mike's1 Pet

I.

All TheColors

000

Brads

0 0All

AboutMe

Rings

Accordian fold books

Contact paper, fabric or wallpaper

Shape books(use staples, rings, or yarn)

My ,i..Baseball

emeGa.".. `15

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GhoofStar les

SIMPLE BOOKBINDING1. Cut tagboard into two pieces. (May also

use posterboard, cardboard, or oak tab.)The two pieces should be about 1/2inch larger all the way around than thepages of the book that are to be bound.

2. Cut a piece of contact paper larger thanthe two pieces of tagboard (aboutthree inches larger).

3. Lay tagboard on contact. Leave about1/8 inch space between the pieces oftagboard. If pages to be bound are thick-er than 1/8 inch, it may be necessary touse a spine between the two pieces oftagboard. A spine is a piece of tagboartithe same length of the cover. The widthis determined by the thickness of thepages.

Clip corners of contact paper and turnedges of contact paper over cover ofbook.

5. Staple story pages together as close tothe edge as possible.

Insert pages in gap between the twocovers or near the spine if a spine isused.

7. Cut two strips of contact paper thelength of the book and about 2 incheswide or use tape. Use one strip to con-nect the stapled pages of the book tothe front cover of the book.

8. Flip pages over and place second stripof contact paper (or tape) down the backside of the book connecting staplededges to the back cover.

ALL DONE!

contact paper

with4

spine

.dicontact,

paper

tagboard1

staplededges

of book

1619

without spine

INV

clipedges

pagesinserted

pagesinserted

tape::::1::;:i:

:.:::.:.::::.::::::

:.:.:.:.::::::..:.:.:.:.....:.:11.11.11.11.11.11.11.11.

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MyBook

pagesneeded

MAKING BOOKLETS WITH DRY MOUNT1 Fold paper in half for pages

2. Sew along dotted lines with needle andthread (some teachers are mass-producing all sizes and shapes usingtheir sewing machines to sew paper.)

3. Cut cloth or wallpaper one inch largerthan book pages (lay open and flat tomeasure).

4. Cut two pieces of cardboard (shirt card-board works well) a little larger thanpages.

A piece of drymount is cut to fit betweenthe cardboard and the cloth.

6. Lay cloth flat, place drymount on top,then cardboard pieces. Leave space be-tween cardboard pieces to allow bookto open and shut.

7. With iron, press a few places to holdcardboard in place.

8. Fold corners in: then fold top down andiron, then fold bottom up and iron.

9 Cut second piece of drymount the samesize as open pages. Lay drymount onopen cover; lay open pages on dry-mount, press first page then last page tothe cover.

CAUTION: NEVER PLACE IRON ONDRYMOUNT OR IT WILL STICK TIGHT.

_...1.pagescloth

cardboardcloth

drymount

cloth/cardboardcover

17 20

cardboardcloth

IDEAS TO SHARE AND 0:21PLAY BOOKS

Stickers. award certificates. medals.ribbons

Plaques listing names of Young Authors

Reading to other 'lasses

Reading day at the mall

Reading at home

Display books in the school library, the locallibrary, in other community facilities

Display books at shopping malls. doctors'and dentists' offices

"Read to the Principal Day" (or week)

Read over the school intercom to a gradelevel or total school

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Names and pictures in district and localnewspapers

Young Authors quilt

Parties and picnics

Make buttons, T-shirts, pennants and ban-ners stating young author's name and/orbook titles

Filmstrips or videotapes

Bookworm

Han a School Building conference or pro-gram for all youngsters who participated

Participate in District and State Conferances

Have a special lunch with the Principal andpossibly the Superintendent

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By the end of May, Young Authors Clubmembers should have a strong self- conceptand sense of accomplishment from writing,sharing and displaying their work Pride inthe;; work and self- motivation to continuewriting are two major indicators of a suc-cessful Young Authors Club

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