Author Study
ASSESSMENT #LELA7
Benchmark Grades: Can be adapted for Kindergarten to second grade.
Summary:
Students read and listen to a story, and then choose a favorite book and author to
examine in more detail.
Keywords:
Reading skills
Writing skills
Story elements
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Author Study
ASSESSMENT #LELA7
Information for the teacher
Task Description
This assessment allows students to elaborate on a favorite book and author, and to
write a summary of their favorite book. If the students are younger, spend more time
discussing author, illustrator, and title. Older students will not need the added
emphasis on these elements, but will work on the skill of writing a summary.
In Task 1, students examine what an author does, what an illustrator does, the title of
the book, and where to find that information.
Task 2 requires students to examine the role of characters in a story by choosing a
favorite character and drawing his or her picture.
For Task 3, the teacher may use a class-generated text, or use a little known text and
allow students to illustrate it. If this assessment is used as a teaching tool, spend time
discussing important events in the story. This is a good way to introduce the skill of
summarizing.
In the final task, students summarize a favorite story.
Required Materials
A selection of children’s literature, for example, Bill Martin Jr., Dr. Seuss, Marc Brown,
Lois Ehlert, Mem Fox, Faith Ringgold, Paul Goble, Rosemary Wells.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
All rights reserved 800-844-6599
Author Study
“Oh, the thinks you can think!”
Who wrote that statement? If you guessed Dr.
Seuss, you are right!
Dr. Seuss is a famous author of children’s books. What
other authors do you know?
Another important person who creates books is the
illustrator. What do illustrators do?
In these pages, you will become an illustrator of a
favorite book.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Task 1: Who wrote the Story?
Your teacher is going to read a story with you.
Who wrote the story? What is this person called?
Who drew the pictures? What is this person called?
Now choose one of your favorite books and draw a
cover for the story. Write the title and author on
your book cover.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Name ___________________________
My Favorite Book
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Scoring Guide – Task 1
4
Exemplary
Criteria for the Proficient category have been successfully
completed.
 More advanced work was completed.
For example, the student
includes additional information such as detailed information on the
original cover. Other examples include:
_________________________________________________

3



Proficient
A book cover is completed.
The pictures and text are legible and neat.
The author and title were included on the cover.
2


Progressing
One part of the task is not completed correctly.
More work is needed.
1


Not meeting the standard(s)
Two or more parts of the task are not completed correctly.
The task should be repeated.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
All rights reserved 800-844-6599
Scoring Guide – Task 1
I drew a cover for my favorite book.
I wrote the title on my book cover.
I wrote the author on my book cover.
I did my neatest and best work.
I think I did an extra great job because:
I did not do one part of the task.
I will keep trying because I am almost there.

I did not understand what to do.
I will ask questions and try again.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Task 2: A Favorite Character
Do you have a favorite character from a story you have
read? Who is it?
Draw your favorite character.
Tell what book the character is in.
Tell the author and the illustrator.
Tell why this is your favorite character.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Name
_________________________________
My Favorite Book Character
This character is from the book
_____________________________________.
The character’s name is ___________________.
The author of the book is __________________.
The illustrator is ________________________.
On the back of this paper, write why this character is
your favorite.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
All rights reserved 800-844-6599
Scoring Guide – Task 2
4
Exemplary
Criteria for the Proficient category have been successfully
completed.
 More advanced work was completed.
For example, the student
illustrates a scene from the book with an original drawing. Other
examples include:
_________________________________________________

3



2


1


Proficient
The student draws and names the favorite character.
The title, author, and illustrator are included.
The student explains why this character was chosen.
Progressing
One part of the task is not completed correctly.
More work is needed.
Not meeting the standard(s)
Two or more parts of the task are not completed correctly.
The task should be repeated.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Scoring Guide – Task 2
I drew my favorite book character.
I made sure to tell which book my favorite character was
from and who wrote it.
I told why this character is my favorite.
I think I did an extra great job because:
I did not do one part of the task.
I will keep trying because I am almost there.

I did not understand what to do.
I will ask questions and try again.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Task 3: My job as an
illustrator
Writing a story can be a challenge. Sometimes it is
fun to write a story with friends.
You and your class are going to write a story together.
When the story is finished, make your own illustrations
for it. Draw a picture for every
important event in the story.
How do you know if an event is important?
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
All rights reserved 800-844-6599
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Scoring Guide – Task 3
4
Exemplary
Criteria for the Proficient category have been successfully
completed.
 More advanced work is completed. For example, the student uses a
criteria for determining the important events. Other examples
include:
_________________________________________________

3



2


1


Proficient
The student determines the important events.
Original illustrations are provided for every important event.
The pictures add support to the story.
Progressing
An important event is not illustrated.
More work is needed.
Not meeting the standard(s)
Two or more important events are not illustrated.
The task should be revised.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Scoring Guide – Task 3
I decided the important events of the story.
I drew pictures for the important events.
My pictures are from my own ideas.
I think I did an extra great job because:
I did not do one part of the task.
I will keep trying because I am almost there.

I did not understand what to do.
I will ask questions and try again.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Task 4: A summary of the
story
What do you do when you want to know what a book is
about? Perhaps you have asked a teacher or librarian to
tell you the important parts of the book. Maybe you
have read a shortened part of the story on the back
cover.
This information is called a summary.
A summary tells the main or important parts of the
story.
Now you get to write a summary of your favorite book.
Use the rules for good writing.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Name _________________________________
_____________________________________________
(Title and author)
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
______________
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Scoring Guide – Task 4
4
Exemplary
Criteria for the Proficient category have been successfully
completed.
 More advanced work is completed.
For example, the student
writes the summary as if it were on the back of a book cover.
Other examples include:
_________________________________________________

3



2


1


Proficient
A written summary is completed.
The summary demonstrates a very good understanding of the story.
The rules of grammar and mechanics are applied.
Progressing
An important part of the story is missing in the summary.
More work is needed.
Not meeting the standard(s)
There is little or no response. The summary shows a serious
misunderstanding of the story.
Task should be repeated.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Scoring Guide – Task 4
I wrote a summary of the story.
My summary includes only the important or main ideas.
I remembered the rules for writing.
I think I did an extra great job because:
My summary leaves out an important part.
I will keep trying because I am almost there.

I did not understand what to do.
I will ask questions and try again.
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
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Enrichment Activity
Design an award for the author of your favorite book.
My Author Award
Presented by _________________________
LELA7
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Copyright  1999 Center for Performance Assessment
All rights reserved 800-844-6599