Author's Purpose | Review Lesson
Students will review the idea of author’s purpose in a simple, concrete way by looking at picture books, short teacher read-alouds, and visual examples. In a Pre-K health setting, the lesson focuses on why an author writes: to teach, to entertain, or to help us make healthy choices.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| author | A person who writes a book or message. |
| purpose | The reason someone does something. |
| teach | To help someone learn something new. |
| entertain | To make someone smile, laugh, or enjoy a story. |
| help | To give advice or show a good choice. |
Show a book and ask, 'Why do people write books?' Introduce the idea that authors write for a purpose. Use simple examples from familiar books.
Share ideas verbally, point to pictures, and repeat key words with the teacher.
Introduce the three purposes with visual cards: teach, entertain, help. Give one short example for each, using simple language and gestures.
Repeat the words, match the purpose cards to teacher examples, and act out meanings with motions.
Read a short health-related book or adapted text. Pause to ask, 'Is this teaching us, entertaining us, or helping us make a good choice?' Model thinking aloud.
Listen, answer with one word or point to the correct card, and join in on repeated phrases.
Place picture cards on the floor or board. Guide students to sort each card under teach, entertain, or help. Support choices with simple prompts.
Take turns placing cards in the correct group and explaining with short phrases like 'It helps us' or 'It teaches us.'
Give students crayons and paper to draw a healthy choice or a book idea. Ask them to tell whether their picture is to teach, entertain, or help.
Draw and share their picture with a partner or the teacher using one simple sentence.
Review the three purposes with the class. Ask quick oral questions and celebrate correct responses.
Respond chorally, point to the correct card, and participate in a brief class review.
End with a quick chant: 'Authors write to teach, entertain, and help!' Ask students to point to the matching card as they say each word. Praise effort and remind them that books and messages can help us make healthy choices.