Connecting Teaching and Learning Division of Teacher Education College of Education, Western Oregon University ED 607: Author Studies

in a Digital Era Winter 2013 ONLINE

Instructor: Marie LeJeune, Ph.D. E-Mail: lejeunem@wou.edu Phone: 838-8450 Office: 202J

Course Description: This session will cover a framework for developing author studies as a tool for growing and encouraging readers, writers, and researchers in K-12 classroom settings. A theoretical framework for exploring author studies will be shared as well as multiple resources for promoting author studies in the classroom, drawing upon available resources through Internet and social networking sites, etc. Students will work collaboratively and independently to develop author studies to promote authentic literacy and content area outcomes. Additionally, adaptions of author studies for content classroomsgenre studies, field studies, etc. will be highlighted. . Course Goals & Objectives: 1. To examine multiple strategies for encouraging and sponsoring author studies in the classroom. 2. To develop a group of resourcesboth in traditional print formats and in digital formats for delivering author studies in the classroom. 3. To design strategies and resources that include ways to explore author studies to develop students as writers, readers, and researchers.

4. To explore authors who write for young people and who are appropriate partners for classroom teaching and learning. Required Assignments: 1. Attend the February 18th virtual professional development meeting on Author Studies in a Digital Era . 2. Explore a variety of author sites and resources provided by the instructor. 3. INDEPENDENT ASSIGNMENT: Based upon these resources, choose 1-3 authors to explore further for classroom study and exploration. Design an author study or a series of smaller author studies that incorporate: a) A Framework/Rationale for Chosen Authors b) A review of books/materials by the author that you have read. c) A collection of mini lessons and strategies that rely on digital resources to involve students actively in an author study to grow readers/writers/researchers/content area thinkers. d) A calendar/timeline of how these strategies and assignments link together logically and pedagogically. e) A sample of a culminating activity for the author study.

Author Study (One larger author study) or Author Studies (A series of smaller Author studies that might include less resources each, on 2-3 authors) =100 points NOTE: For middle/secondary teachers who might not find an author study useful for classroom practice, the assignment can be altered to more of a GENRE STUDY OR FIELD STUDY that brings together texts, online resources and mini lessons that situate content area learning in authentic ways. (Detailed rubric and handouts to be provided on the day of the February 18th inservice.) TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE=100 points GRADING SCALE FOR CLASS (Grades will be figured by percentages, points earned divided by points possible): A=90-100% B=80-89% C=70-79% D=60-69% F=below 60%