Author:

Katelyn Dorsett
System:
College/University
School:
University of North Alabama
main body goes here
Lesson Plan ID:
33356
Title:
Can You Find the Purpose?
Overview/Annotation:
The lesson will use inquiry, hands-on learning, and technology to teach authors
purpose. This lesson uses the acronym PIE to introduce authors purpose. The lesson
plan covers persuasion.
Content Standard(s):
ELA2013(2)
15. Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer,
explain, or describe. [RI.2.6]
Local/National Standards:
Primary Learning Objective(s):
I can distinguish the authors purpose in various texts.
I can explain why the author wrote the text.
I can discuss what the author wanted us to learn from the text.
Additional Learning Objective(s):
Approximate Duration of the Lesson:
31 to 60 Minutes
Materials and Equipment:
Sticky Notes
Chart Paper
10-12 picture books
Anchor Chart
"Chameleons" by Kristin Petrie
PIE graphic organizer
Technology Resources Needed:

Document Camera
Projector
Computer
Internet Access
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNS5GK_k8II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHxPJj6xRiw
www.kidblog.org

Background/Preparation:
Students need to know what an author is and what an author does. Students need to
be able to distinguish between fiction and nonfiction.
Procedures/Activities:
Before: To open the lesson, the teacher will say, I know all of us in this room have told
a story to someone before. With that being said, have you ever stopped and thought
about why you were telling the story? Teacher will allow students to raise their hand
and give feedback. The teacher will say, the same way you had a reason in telling
your story, an author also has a reason for writing a book. The teacher will say, Today
we are going to be learning about authors and why they write certain books. The
teacher will show students the book Chameleons and say, we are going to use this
book to teach us about one of the 3 purposes an author might write a book. The
teacher will show a video about chameleons through YouTube
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHxPJj6xRiw). The teacher will take a picture walk
through the story allowing students to make predictions about the book. The teacher
will prompt students by asking questions such as what might this book be about?
What do you think we might learn from this book? Do you think this book is fiction or
non-fiction and why? The teacher will introduce that authors write pieces of work for a
reason. Using the poster created for this lesson, the The teacher will explain the 3-point
of views authors use by using the acronym P-I-E. P-I-E means to persuade, to inform,
and to explain. The teacher will show the video via computer/projector:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNS5GK_k8II
During: The teacher will begin by reading parts of the book Chameleons by Kristin
Petrie. This book is an informational book that informs readers about chameleons. The
teacher will ask students to refer to the poster and turn and talk with their neighbor
about what category this book might fall under. The teacher will might prompt the
question did the author write this to inform us, to persuade us to think a certain way, or
to entertain us? The teacher will give students time to talk with their neighbor while
walking around, listening to what is being said. The teacher will then ask students to
give thumbs up if they think the book was written to persuade. The same will be done

for inform and explain. Once each student has given their answer, the teacher will then
inform students that the authors purpose was to inform. The teacher will then divide
students up into groups. These groups would be decided prior to the lesson. Students
will be given a book and asked to partner read the book. Upon reading, students will be
reminded to ask the essential questions why do you think the author wrote this text and
what do you think the author wants you to learn from the text? Once back on the
carpet, students will share the book they were given with the class. Students will write
the title of their book on a sticky note and stick it on the poster under the correct
purpose they think their book is serving. They will then share their thoughts on why they
think the purpose is what they chose.
After: Using a blog website such as: www.kidblog.org, each student will post a blog
post that are is no more than five sentences long. The students will then individually
read their classmates post and comment by typing Persuade, Inform, or Entertain under
the blog post that reflects which authors purpose they think it is. Students can comment
back and forth with each other sharing their opinions. The teacher will recap the
students post/comments by showing the blog post on the projector screen.
Attachments:**Some files will display in a new window. Others will prompt you to
download.
AuthorsPurposeAnchorChart.png
Assessment Strategies:
Discussion Observation
Informal Observation
Sticky Note Exit Ticket: "What was the authors purpose for writing the book you chose
to read?"
Blog post identifying authors purpose

Extension:
The lesson could be modified by having students write a persuasion piece instead of
identifying the authors purpose they are the author. The students will write a piece with
their own authors purpose in mind or the teacher can select a certain authors purpose
for the student to write.
Remediation:
Before: The teacher can pre-introduce the PIE anchor chart . The teacher can use lower
level books to practice with students before the lesson so students hear the concepts
twice.
During: The teacher can provide one on one assistance or strategically group a
struggling student with a student who understands the concepts during partner work.
After: The teacher can provide tiered intervention using different pictures books. The
teacher reads a book aloud to the class and the students jot their thinking on a sticky

note as to what authors purpose they think it while the teacher is thinking aloud about
authors purpose.