Jan Brett Author Study

Description

Jan Brett Author Study – Biography Writing Pack for the Classroom

Perfect for author studies, literacy rotations, or nonfiction writing tasks, this resource helps students explore the lives of these beloved children’s authors while building essential research and writing skills.

With a variety of hands-on and differentiated activities, students will uncover fascinating facts about Jan and Stan—either separately or together—and use their discoveries to write an informative and structured biography.

What’s Inside the Pack:

• Three posters (one with some published book titles and a print-and-go version)
• KWHL
•  Fact recording sheet x 2,
• Fact clipboards for display and discussion
• Biography wheel
• Word splash on clipboards
• Ask a question template (girl/boy templates)
• Lined pages for biography
• Write a biography – with side graphics

With clear structure and creative prompts, this pack supports both individual and group learning, making it ideal for writing lessons, author studies, and biography units.

Jan Brett Author Study

Check out our other Author Study packs by clicking here 

Doing an author study in the classroom provides a powerful way to deepen students’ understanding of literature, build connections with texts, and develop a love for reading. Here are several compelling reasons to include author studies in your teaching program:

Fosters a Deeper Connection to Reading

By focusing on one author over time, students become familiar with the writer’s style, voice, and recurring themes. This familiarity builds confidence, strengthens comprehension, and encourages students to read more of that author’s work voluntarily.

Supports Literacy Skills Across the Curriculum

Author studies integrate reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students analyse texts, write responses, discuss ideas in groups, and often create projects like book reviews or biographies. These cross-curricular connections reinforce key literacy outcomes.

Encourages Critical Thinking

Author studies challenges students to compare and contrast characters, themes, and settings across multiple books. They explore how an author develops ideas and messages, promoting higher-order thinking and deeper literary analysis.

Introduces Diverse Perspectives

Studying different authors—both classic and contemporary, from various backgrounds—exposes students to a range of cultures, experiences, and viewpoints. This helps cultivate empathy and global awareness through literature.

Provides a Purpose for Writing

Many author studies include writing tasks such as composing biographies, writing in the style of the author, or crafting personal responses. These activities give students real-world reasons to write, helping them develop voice, structure, and grammar skills.

Builds Research and Inquiry Skills

Students often use tools like KWHL charts, fact cards, timelines, and graphic organisers to gather and present facts about the author’s life and work. This process nurtures curiosity and strengthens information literacy.

Makes Learning Fun and Engaging

Author studies often include creative projects—like designing book covers, acting out scenes, or making themed displays—that help students connect with books in hands-on, imaginative ways.

Reinforces Key Curriculum Goals

Whether you teach narrative structure, theme, point of view, or genre, author studies offer authentic examples to support these objectives in context.

In short, author studies aren’t just about reading books—they’re about exploring ideas, making connections, and cultivating lifelong readers and writers. Whether you’re focusing on Enid Blyton, the Berenstains, or any other author, your students will benefit from the rich, meaningful learning that these studies provide.

Copyright © Paula’s Place

This product is licensed for use in one classroom only. Please purchase additional licenses for multiple classrooms or school-wide use. Redistribution or sharing of this resource without permission is strictly prohibited.