Mrs. Macedonia’s first-grade class recently completed an author study unit with a focus on the illustrations of Eric Carle. As they read and discussed the books, students learned a “notice and wonder” skill by looking closely at the illustrations, finding patterns and details, and asking questions such as “I wonder why Eric Carle used paper instead of drawing the face?”.

The first graders also studied story elements in narratives and examined how books can change lives of people around the world. Students learned how and where children obtain books around the world: from libraries, to book mobiles, to donkeys and horses, and even boats delivering books to children in remote areas. The class also reflected on the content of books and studied the structure of narratives: setting, characters, problem, and resolution.

After completing their author study and narrative study, students wrote their own narratives. The first graders then worked with MCS art teacher, Mrs. Baker, to create illustrations in the style of Eric Carle by using textured painted paper to collage an illustration capturing the big picture of their narrative!