Author Study: Improving Reading Comprehension Using Inference and Comparison

Students work collaboratively drawing inferences through an author study. Then, they compare and contrast their inferences about the author with a biography. Students repeat the inferring process with another author and then create their own biography based on their inferences. Their original biography is then compared to a factual biography to determine accuracy. This lesson plan provides step-by-step implementation instructions and printable resources. Lesson is appropriate for third through fifth grades. Drawing inferences is an important component of reading comprehension, so students need to be aware of both its benefits and its limitations. Beginning with several picture books by Paul Goble, students draw inferences about the author and apply them as they try to detect the errors in an inaccurate biography of the author. They refine their initial impressions through Internet research and correct the inaccuracies through critical comparison of biographical texts. Students then engage in a similar exercise as they study another author or illustrator of their choice, this time creating an author biography with deliberate errors, which will be corrected by a fellow student. Text from site.

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Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

Student Objectives:

Students will

Learn what inferences are by looking at an illustrator's work and listing assumptions about the illustrator before reading his biography
Practice comprehension skills by reading texts, observing illustrations, inferring information from the illustrations, comparing written texts, and identifying errors in texts
Demonstrate comprehension skills they have learned by studying a different author's work and biography and creating their own biography
Practice writing a specific genre, biography, including factual errors other students will discover using their own developing inference and comparison skills

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Understanding

Extension suggestions:

Extensions:

Have students research and write additional erroneous biographies using the online Bio-Cube as a prewriting tool. All biographies and answer keys can be collected in a class notebook for students to use as independent learning activities.

Helpful Hints

Materials and Technology:

Computers with Internet access and printing capability
Selection of picture books by Paul Goble
Chart paper and markers

References

Contributors:

Casey Gellerman

Originator:

Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation