Comparing Several Andrea Davis Pinkney Books

Activity to learn about the author’s writing:

This written activity is the culmination of a author study unit on Andrea Davis Pinkney. The children will be writing a painted essay response to literature after hearing several Andrea Davis Pinkney books. The focus of the response is: Andrea Davis Pinkney has written several books about people and characters who work hard to achieve a dream.

Materials needed:
A variety of Andrea Davis Pinkney’s books are used for this lesson. Here are some that would work well with the focus.

Bill Pickett Rodeo-Ridin’ Cowboy
Solo Girl
Hold Fast to Dreams
Duke Ellington
Alvin Ailey

Before reading the books, introduce the author by telling a little about her life (see biography section). Create a chart where you will record each book title, the main character, the dream the character is working to obtain, and some obstacles in the character’s way.

As you work through the selected titles, remind the children each time of the focus of working hard to achieve your dream.

After finishing each book, record the information in the chart (title, character, dream, obstacles).

After completing all stories, discuss how each book focused on a character that worked hard to achieve his/her dream.

Review the parts of the painted essay: introduction, body, and conclusion (see below for references about the painted essay). The teacher can provide an already written introduction and conclusion, depending on the level of the students.

The goal is to write a painted essay response to literature, using the focus sentence: Andrea Davis Pinkney has written several books about people and characters who work hard to achieve a dream.

Information on the Painted Essay

 

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