SoMIRAC Chalk Talk

1. Select an author and encourage students to read books written by that author as a featured author for the month.
2. Write or e-mail letters to authors to:
   *tell them what students liked about their books.
   *interview them on various topics (why they became a writer, what kinds of books they like to read, etc.).
3. Arrange for an author visit. Perhaps two nearby schools could pool their resources to offer a day or an evening event at one of the schools.
4. Learn about an author's real life. Look for ways the author's real life is evident in his/her books.
5. Select 2 authors and read their books. Compare their lives and writing styles.
6. Do a read aloud of selected authors each week during the month.
7. Have a Character Celebration Day where students dress and/or act as a character from a book. Perhaps each class at one grade level could choose a different book by the same author.
8. Perform group skits from various parts of a book written by the selected author.
9. Hold a Name That Character Contest where clues are given about a character that appeared in one of the books everyone read
10. Write a script for a Reader's Theater performance after reading a book.

Here is a website that you can visit for authors who live in Maryland, or are willing to visit Maryland: www.childrensbookguild.org/speakersbureau.htm