Proposal Title

Portraits of Perseverance: Examining Identity While Crafting Picture Book Biographies with Third Graders

Abstract

This research explores the role of picture book biographies as mentor texts in the elementary classroom. Research questions included: How can the child reader’s glimpse into the research and artistic processes within the back matter of a picture book biography deepen their own understanding of the art and craft of biography? This qualitative case study was conducted in a third grade classroom within a suburban Title 1 school for a six-week period from October through early November. Over the course of the unit, students read and reread four picture book biographies created by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet. Students heard a read aloud of Some Writer! (2016) Melissa Sweet’s chapter-length biography of E.B. White. Students explored a range of Orbis Pictus and Sibert Medal-winning biographies of diverse contemporary and historical subjects. Students also interviewed community members and wrote and illustrated original picture book biographies. An analysis of the literary devices, and visual and written motifs within the students’ writing suggests that focused attention to a small group of mentor texts and intentional exploration of the author’s and illustrator’s process of creating picture book biographies can lead to deeper reader/writer engagement with and understanding of the genre.

Author Type

Faculty

Start Date

28-3-2018 6:40 PM

End Date

28-3-2018 7:30 PM

Presentation Type

Panel

Disciplines

Curriculum and Instruction | Education | Elementary Education | Language and Literacy Education

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Mar 28th, 6:40 PM Mar 28th, 7:30 PM

Portraits of Perseverance: Examining Identity While Crafting Picture Book Biographies with Third Graders

U-Hall 3-101

This research explores the role of picture book biographies as mentor texts in the elementary classroom. Research questions included: How can the child reader’s glimpse into the research and artistic processes within the back matter of a picture book biography deepen their own understanding of the art and craft of biography? This qualitative case study was conducted in a third grade classroom within a suburban Title 1 school for a six-week period from October through early November. Over the course of the unit, students read and reread four picture book biographies created by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet. Students heard a read aloud of Some Writer! (2016) Melissa Sweet’s chapter-length biography of E.B. White. Students explored a range of Orbis Pictus and Sibert Medal-winning biographies of diverse contemporary and historical subjects. Students also interviewed community members and wrote and illustrated original picture book biographies. An analysis of the literary devices, and visual and written motifs within the students’ writing suggests that focused attention to a small group of mentor texts and intentional exploration of the author’s and illustrator’s process of creating picture book biographies can lead to deeper reader/writer engagement with and understanding of the genre.