Standard: K.RI.6 – Name the author and illustrator of a text and define the role of each in presenting the ideas or information in a text.
Grade level: Kindergarten
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Reading: Informational Text
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on helping students identify the author and illustrator of a text and understand their respective roles. It’s important because it lays the foundation for students to appreciate the collaborative effort that goes into creating a book and to understand how both text and illustrations contribute to the meaning of a story or informational text. Students should be familiar with the basic parts of a book and understand that books can tell stories or provide information.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to analyze how different elements of a text contribute to its meaning and distinguish between different types of texts, such as fiction and non-fiction.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that the author and illustrator are always the same person. This is incorrect because, in many books, the author and illustrator are different individuals who work together to create the final product.
Intervention 1
Use a variety of books where the author and illustrator are different people. During reading sessions, emphasize the distinct roles each person plays in creating the book.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that the illustrator only draws pictures and does not contribute to the story. This is incorrect because illustrations often provide additional context, details, and emotional depth that complement the text.
Intervention 2
Highlight the importance of illustrations by discussing how they add to the story. Use examples where pictures provide information that the text does not, and encourage students to think about what the illustrations add to their understanding.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should know what a book is, be familiar with basic parts of a book (cover, pages), and understand that books tell stories or provide information.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop the ability to analyze how different elements of a text contribute to its meaning and will be able to distinguish between different types of texts (e.g., fiction vs. non-fiction).
Instructional Activities
- Read a book aloud and discuss the roles of the author and illustrator.
- Create a class book where students take turns being the author and illustrator.
- Visit a library and explore books by different authors and illustrators.
- Use a Venn diagram to compare the roles of the author and illustrator in a book.
