Being literate means being able to connect the dots of learning between what we read, what we hear, and what we see. It is actually about how you create connections so that a student understands something and then once they understand it, they can do something with that knowledge. That’s the most important thing, and that’s the leap from learning something to actually become literate in it.
—Marcie Craig Post, executive director, ILA

Recently, I ran across a children’s picture book that echoes Post’s message. Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk is a delightful book telling the journey of Sam, a mouse who lives in a library. Sam discovers he loves not only reading books, but also writing them. Sam starts to leave his stories in the autobiography section and students stumble upon his creations.

The students begin to wonder who wrote the stories, but Sam realizes he cannot tell the students that he, the author, is a mouse. Sam hatches a plan to show both teachers and students that they all are authors. In essence, he helps students connect the dots of learning between what they read to what they can write.

Each year, I want to do exactly what Sam does: I want to show my students that they all are authors and have the ability to “do something with [their] knowledge,” as Post states. Each year brings challenges; already this year I have back-to-school forms that say I have students who do not favor writing. To be honest, most parents say they would like to see their child grow in the area of writing. Writing often is considered the most difficult of language skills to teach. It is a tall mountain to climb, but I know we all can do it.

Writers can be motivated by talking with authors. Discussions can be arranged through Skype in the Classroom. Over the last two years, I’ve invited authors such as Jane Kohuth and Max Kornell and asked them to highlight the writing process as a guide for students as they made their way through the journey. Jane and Max were great resources who drew attention to obstacles and high points. My students referred to their feelings using the same experiences Max or Jane shared. The great advantage here is that Skype is free to use.

When planning, I plan backward. I look at my intended genre or topic and find authors who match. After finding an author, I reach out to him or her to see if he or she is available to talk with my students. Once confirmed, I allow for a week or two to prepare. My preparation includes using read-alouds of that author’s books to promote a more natural discussion.

Of course, I plant question stems such as the following:

• What would you ask the author about this book?
• If you could change one thing in the book what would it be and why?
• If you could add anything to this book what would you add?  

As students share their responses, I write them down frantically so when we get to talk with the author, we will have a bank of questions and responses.

To generate excitement, I have a countdown and talk up the event. I post it on social media and tag the author and publisher to encourage others and to let the author know we are ready. I am also promoting and engaging students about what is to come. When the day arrives, I do a quick walk-through of what will happen. I remind students of their question stems and responses so when the author opens the floor for questions, my students are ready.

For those who cannot use Skype, turn that challenge into an opportunity to explore other social media platforms. Twitter allows students to connect to a myriad of sources; most authors and publishers have Twitter accounts. I created a class account for us to use to connect successfully with authors and publishers.

What are you waiting for? It is time to connect the dots between authors and students and then “do something with it.”

Allison Hogan is a primer teacher at The Episcopal School of Dallas in Texas where she teaches kindergarten and first grade. She holds a bachelor’s in communications from the University of North Florida and a graduate degree in education from Southern Methodist University, where she specialized in reading and English as a Second Language. She has been recognized as both an Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Emerging Leader and a National Association of Independent Schools Teacher of the Future. She can be found on Twitter at @AllisonHoganESD or @PrimerESD.