Activities for Author In You
Featuring Roland Smith
Activity #1
(6LA_E1998-26; 7LA_E19998-28; 8LA_E1998-23) prewrite to generate ideas for writing
(6LA_E1998-28; 7LA_E1998-30; 8LA_E1998-25) draft, revise, and edit writing to
improve fluency, content, organization, and style
(6LA_E1998-29; 7LA_E1998-31; 8LA_E1998-26) edit for spelling, fragments and run-on
sentences
(6LA_E1998-30; 7LA_E1998-32; 8LA_E1998-27) use writing handbooks, grammar
checkers and references to edit usage and mechanics
(6LA_E1998-31; 7LA_E1998-33) develop a clear topic with examples and details
(8LA_E1998-29) develop a central idea with examples, illustrations, facts, and details
(6LA_E1998-32; 7LA_E1998-34) use transitions between ideas and paragraphs
(8LA_E1998-30) write logical and effective transitions between ideas and paragraphs
In the interview, Roland talks about the steps in his writing projects. He feels that if the
steps are followed the writer will be successful. Have the students generate ideas and
then follow the same process that he discusses to create either a fiction or nonfiction
story.
1. Research (use individual cards for information)
2. Storyboards (use individual cards for each idea and put them in the order of the
story)
3. Writing the first draft (sloppy copy written following storyboard without revisions—
just write)
4. Revisions (revise and edit story for the final copy)
After they have completed their writing following his suggestions, have them evaluate
the process.
Activity #2
(6LA_E1998-29; 7LA_E1998-31; 8LA_E1998-26) edit for spelling, fragments and run-on
sentences
(6LA_E1998-30; 7LA_E1998-32; 8LA_E1998-27) use writing handbooks, grammar
checkers and references to edit usage and mechanics
(6LA_E2001-1) use a viable technology to assist in writing
(7LA_E2001-1; 8LA_E2001-1) use available technology to assist in writing
After the students have written their stories:
1. Have the students use the Student Writing Center or another desktop publishing
program to publish the final story.
2. Have the children use Microsoft Word to write and edit their story.
Websites
Author’s website:
http://www.rolandsmith.com/
Other websites:
http://www.nido.cl/campusprograms/mediacenter/rolandsmith.html
http://www.mcelmeel.com/writing/rolandsmith.html
http://www.bend.k12.or.us/cascadems2/library/roland_smith_visit.htm
http://www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com/authors/displayAI.asp?id=158&ai=a
http://www.readin.org/authors/archives/2001/RSmith01.htm
http://ss.wsd.wednet.edu/DonnaWeb/rolandsmith.htm
http://rolandsmithblog.blogspot.com/2004/10/jacks-run-1.html
http://webwatchers.nsta.org/guides/lesson_plan_detail.asp?lesson_plan_ID=83&grade_
band=1
The Captain’s Dog
http://www.secondaryenglish.com/thecaptainsdog.html
http://www.wrl.org/BOFA/2003winner.html
Zach’s Lie
http://www.rebeccacaudill.org/nominees/2004/Smith/
Books
1990—Sea Otter Rescue (nonfiction)
1992-- Primates in the Zoo (nonfiction)
1992-- Snakes in the Zoo (nonfiction)
1993—Inside the Zoo Nursery (nonfiction)
1994-- Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises in the Zoo (nonfiction)
1994-- Cats in the Zoo (nonfiction)
1995—Thunder Cave
1995-- African Elephants (nonfiction)
1995—Vultures (nonfiction)
1996—Journey of the Red Wolf (nonfiction)
1996—Amy’s Missing
1997—Jaguar
1998—In the Forest with the Elephants
1998—Sasquatch
1999—The Last Lobo
1999—The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe
2001—Zach’s Lie
2003—B is for Beaver: An Oregon Alphabet, by Marie and Roland Smith
2004--E Is for Evergreen: A Washington Alphabet, by Marie and Roland Smith
2005—Cryptid Hunters