Inviting an author into your classroom

Purpose

Teachers report that visits by authors and illustrators provide an enormous amount of stimulation to their reading program. Having an author or illustrator visit:

Exposes students to people who may think and work in ways that are different to anyone they’ve ever met before
Makes real the creation of literature and art
Places a book in the context of its creation
Allows for discussions about planning, drafting and redrafting that reinforce explicit teaching of writing and illustrating
Demystifies the act of creativity.

Teaching points

The most successful visits take place when a visit from a writer or illustrator fits in with a unit of work. This may be a study of that person, or of a genre of writing or medium of illustrating.
Before inviting someone, clarify in your own mind whether you want them to do some sort of performance, a talk, a ‘show and tell’ or a workshop. Is it appropriate for them to address the whole school, or just certain ages? Discuss these issues with the person.
Consider how the students will interact with the person. If there is to be a performance, the students may be able to participate through interactive drama activities.
Introduce your students to the person’s work and background before the visit. Encourage students to consider questions they would like to ask, for example, about a certain character, or the process of writing or illustrating.
Writers and illustrators can generally be contacted through their publishers or local writers’ centres. Many have websites with background information and contact details. They charge varying amounts, depending on the type of visit.
Make sure that you provide your visitor with clear information about the date and venue of the visit.

More information

PEN 104: Gleeson, L. How’s your etiquette with authors? Primary English Teaching Association, Newtown.

Simpson, A. (2008) Reading under the covers: Helping children to choose books. Primary English Teaching Association, Newtown.