Wanted! Amazing Authors

Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Creative Communicator

Overview

Students will research a favorite author of their choice and bring their research to life by creating eye-catching wanted posters using Canva. Students will use the Internet to find information about the author, such as place of birth, early life, education, major works (including a list of popular books), awards and recognitions, and fun facts, to create a visual WANTED poster of their author.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Learn how to research a favorite author.
Creatively present their findings.
Use Canva to present the information about their favorite author.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words:

1. Author: An author is a person who writes books, articles, or other texts.

2. Biography: A biography is a detailed description of a person’s life.

3. Genre: A genre is a category of literature characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

4. Wanted Poster: A wanted poster is a poster distributed to inform the public that someone is wanted by the authorities, often including a picture and description.

5. Canva: Canva is a graphic design platform used to create visual content.

6. Remix: A remix is when you take something like a song or image and change it by adding new sounds or mixing it with other songs to make a new version. It’s like taking a recipe and adding your special ingredients to make it taste different.

Pre-planning

To prepare for this lesson:

The project will take 3 to 4 days.

Day 1- Introduce Project and Websites
Day 2- Research
Day 3-4 Create Wanted Posters

1. To begin, the teacher will need a CANVA EDUCATOR ACCOUNT. This may take a week or so to set up if your district does not have it. To sign up for an educator account, go to this link: Try Canva for Education for free.

2. Check out how to use Canva https://youtu.be/gIcFqbIFGa8?si=CkI9RQilayW-pZqW

3. View how to edit templates https://youtu.be/g7fmkpXZqzY?si=VUg65vynm7lDvAM0

4. Students will also need accounts. Because they are under 13, the easiest ways are via the following:

Google Classroom
Canvas
Schoology
Moodle
Blackboard
ClassLink

5. Here are directions to connect using your school’s LMS Connect Canva to LMS (web) - Canva Help Center.

6. Another way is by having parents complete this form Canva-for-Education-COPPA-Parent_Guardian-Consent-Form.pdf.

7. Directions on inviting students can be found here. Invite teachers and students to your class - Canva Help Center

8. So that students are not starting from a blank slate, you may want to create a template for them to use or share this link with them.

9. You could also have them use this template while doing their research or for their final product.

10. Share the rubric with them and make copies for each student.

10. Students will need access to websites for research. Some good websites are

Accommodations

See Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4student website in the Teacher Resources.

Steps

Directions for this activity:

1. Day 1- Introduction

2. Introduce the project to the students- It is always helpful to have a sample of a finished project.

3. Give students a list of authors to choose from

4. Share the rubric and the research worksheet.

5. Share the rubric with the students.

6. Here is a research worksheet that can be used.

Day 2- Research- this can also roll into day 1 if preferred.

Share the 2 websites provided and give students work time to look up facts on their author.

Day 3- Canva

Introduce Canva and model how to work in the platform.

Assessment Options

Different options for assessing the students:

Observations
Check for understanding
Rubric

MITECS COMPETENCIES & ISTE STANDARDS

MITECS: Michigan adopted the "ISTE Standards for Students" called MITECS (Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students) in 2018.

Empowered Learner
1.1d Students understand fundamental concepts of how technology works, demonstrate the ability to choose and use current technologies effectively, and are adept at thoughtfully exploring emerging technologies.

Digital Citizen
1.2.c Safeguard Well-being: Students safeguard their well-being by being intentional about what they do online and how much time they spend online.

Creative Communicator
1.6.a Choose Platforms or Tools: Students choose the appropriate platforms and digital tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

1.6.b Original and Remixed Works: Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.

1.6.d Customize the Message: Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.

ELA CCSS
READING 3,4,5
Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

WRITING 3,4,5
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through the investigation of different aspects of a topic.

SPEAKING AND LISTENING 3,4,5
Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.