Apr. 18, 2007: Meet Author Susan Patron

The Mini Page is a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children found each Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain News. This issue of The Mini Page is available through the eEdition Archive to registered eEdition subscribers. Click here to learn about subscribing to the eEdition at no cost to you (for Colorado teachers).

Activities:

1. Find a newspaper photo you like and paste it on a piece of paper. Now write several sentences telling a story about the picture.

2. Find a newspaper story that Susan Patron might use as an idea for a new book. Explain why you think that newspaper story would make a good book.

3. Select a newspaper story about your community that does not have a picture.
Draw one to go with the story.

4. What about David Wiesner's life tells you that (a) he has a lot of experience with art, (b) he comes from a creative family, (c) he is a hard worker, and (d) he likes activities other than art?

5. Create your own story using comic strip characters. Select three different comic strip characters. Identify a setting for the story -- it can be anywhere and in any type of climate. Think of a problem the characters can face. Think about how the characters can solve the problem. Now write your story. Design a picture for it. Read your story to family members and friends.

This week's standards:

• Students comprehend and respond to a variety of images and text.
• Students identify forms and elements of literature. (Language Arts: Reading)
  
  

(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)