Author's Purpose is a piece of P.I.E!

by Joanna Vega
(Quito, Ecuador)

I begin by actually baking a pie the night before. This seems to enlighten the senses, go figure, and kids are ready to listen.

A set of grade level samples (sets of 5, total of groups in total), are distributed and students are asked to read the articles. Then students are asked to move around the room looking for other students with the same writing sample.

Students then sit and discuss their writing piece looking for characteristics of text. Groups then share their findings. Teacher guides discussion to eventually focus on author's purpose--to persuade, inform or entertain.

We look at abbreviation and enjoy slices of pie while we brainstorm examples...i.e, commercials, billboards, documentaries, recipes, biographies..etc.