Author's Chair

This strategy allows writers and readers to share with a group of like-minded colleagues how they feel at specific instances while interacting with a text, whether they are the reader or the author of that text. Time is provided in a class setting for those who want to share and receive feedback. Author's Chair occurs as the final step in the writing process. Given that all the other steps of the writing process are complete, the majority of the feedback should be positive.

This strategy is designed to

 

• develop students' concept of authorship
• emphasize that students' ideas and experiences are of value
• develop collaborative learning and peer editing skills
• provide an audience for students’ ideas
• motivate children to write more in the future
• develop listening skills
• develop reflection and critical thinking skills
• improve overall writing and speaking skills.

 

Implementation

 

1. The student in the author's chair reads aloud a selected piece of text or a piece of their own writing.
2. Peers then have the opportunity to respond to what is read aloud.
3. The teacher should model this strategy with explicit examples of audience responses.

 

Classroom Management

 

1. Have the student author read his or her writing to the class or student group and share illustrations, graphs, etc.

• The audience should listen in silence and with respect.

• First responses are positive (teacher can set a specific number of first responses, especially when the strategy is initially used.)
• Responses focus upon vivid events, well-developed characters, exceptional word choice, or author’s use of voice