Author Visit Activities Lesson Plan for Upper Elementary

This free author visit activities lesson prepares upper elementary students to meet a visiting writer. Students research the author, analyze stories, write from a new point of view, and practice introducing a guest speaker.

Overview

This lesson helps students understand how authors create stories and how readers interact with literature. Before an author school visit, students learn about the author’s background, reading style, and writing process. They also practice respectful listening, speaking, and questioning so they are ready to participate in the visit.

Subject Connections

Students practice reading comprehension, informational research, and narrative writing. Speaking and listening skills are developed through presentations and question-and-answer practice. The lesson also supports social interaction and communication skills.

Learning Goals

• Identify key facts about an author
• Analyze characters and story problems
• Write from a different point of view
• Prepare thoughtful questions for a speaker
• Present a short introduction to an audience

Materials

• Books written by the visiting author (or a selected classroom author)
• Chart paper and markers
• Student notebooks
• Index cards
• Pencils and colored pencils
• Access to books or approved online sources

Preparation

• Select at least one book students can read together
• Gather basic biographical information about the author
• Create a research note organizer
• Prepare discussion questions about characters and problem solving

Teaching Procedure

Each session fits a standard class period of 45–50 minutes. Activities build across five class days leading up to the author visit.

Session 1 – Meet the Author

1. The teacher introduces the author and reads aloud a selected story while students listen and record favorite moments.
2. Students share reactions while the teacher lists themes, characters, and setting details on chart paper.
3. Activity: The teacher tells students they are literary reporters. Using notebooks and classroom books, students record three facts about the author and one question they would like to ask. Students demonstrate learning by sharing one question with the class.

Session 2 – Understanding Characters

1. The teacher rereads important parts of the story and pauses to discuss character decisions.
2. Students identify the main problem and how it was solved, writing the answer in their notebooks.
3. Activity: The teacher instructs students to rewrite one scene from a different character’s perspective. Using paper and pencils, students write a short paragraph and illustrate it. Students demonstrate understanding by explaining how the new point of view changes the story.

Session 3 – Research and Question Writing

1. The teacher models how to gather information from a short biography or book introduction.
2. Students work in pairs to collect important facts and organize them into a simple research chart.
3. Activity: The teacher tells students to prepare interview questions. Using index cards, students write three thoughtful questions they would ask the author and share one aloud. Students demonstrate learning by revising questions to be clear and respectful.

Session 4 – Preparing the Introduction

1. The teacher explains how speakers introduce guests and models a short example introduction.
2. Students write a brief introduction including a welcome and two accurate facts about the author.
3. Activity: The teacher has students practice presenting. Using their written introductions, students stand, speak clearly, and introduce the author to a partner. Students demonstrate learning by maintaining eye contact and speaking audibly.

Session 5 – Author Visit Readiness

1. The teacher reviews expectations for audience behavior and active listening.
2. Students rehearse asking questions and responding politely.
3. Activity: The teacher conducts a mock author visit. Using prepared questions and introduction scripts, students role-play the visit, demonstrating listening, questioning, and presenting skills.

Assessment

• Research notes and participation
• Point-of-view writing paragraph
• Prepared interview questions
• Oral introduction presentation

Differentiation

• Provide sentence starters for writing tasks
• Allow oral responses instead of written paragraphs when needed
• Offer challenge tasks such as writing a book review

Grade Adaptation

Grade 4 students may focus on short written responses and guided questions, while Grade 5 students can complete longer character perspective writing and deliver a more formal introduction independently.

Extension Ideas

• Create a classroom bulletin board celebrating the author
• Write thank-you letters after the visit
• Start a classroom anthology of student stories inspired by the visit