Bill Martin Jr. Author Study
Start your author study by reading a short biography of Bill Martin Jr. and reading his books . Then use the activities and lessons below to introduce students to the playful, poetic language that abounds in his stories.
Teaching Reading with Bill Martin Books available from Scholastic Professional Books offers these suggestions for getting started:
Planning an Author Study
Gather all the Bill Martin Jr. titles you can and share the books with children over the course of three or four weeks. Decorate a bulletin board and use it to feature covers, characters’ names,and favorite quotes from Bill Martin Jr.’s books. Invite students to try their hands at writing snappy pieces of language that roll off the tongue. Encourage ongoing discussion of the books with the following questions:
- How are the books of Bill Martin Jr. alike? How are they different?
- If you were going to give an award to one Bill Martin Jr. book, which would you choose? Why?
- Which of Bill Martin’s books do you think are serious? Which do you think are silly?
- What type of books do you think Bill Martin Jr. likes to write best?
- What’s fun for you about the language in Bill Martin Jr.’s books?
Grades: PreK–2
Author:Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault
Illustrator:Lois Ehlert
In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Music by Crystal Taliefero.
Running Time:5:24Source: Weston Woods
Articles
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? Lesson Plan
by Risa Young
Early Childhood Today |
Children will use technology and listening skills to explore the sounds in their outdoor environment in this ready-to-use teaching idea for three- and four-year olds.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Extension Activities
by Risa Young and Robin Smith
Early Childhood Today |
October ,2003
By learning the names of things in their environment, children become acquainted with the idea of nouns in this ready-to-use teaching idea for four- and five-year olds.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom ABC Prints
by Risa Young and Robin Smith
Early Childhood Today |
October ,2005
Children will develop their literacy skills.
Resources
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Teaching Plan
Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle's classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? lends itself well to playing with language. After reading the book try these activities.
Lesson Plans
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Lesson Plan
by Gayle Berthiaume
I use Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? to help students learn to read by recognizing repetitive text and rhythm.
