📖

Why Did the Author Write This?

Comprehension: Author's Purpose

Day 146of 180
Week 30of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the three main purposes of writing

2

Identify why an author writes a text

3

Recognize different types of writing

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 16:23

“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.”

— Proverbs 16:23 (WEB)

Shows that words have purpose and can teach, persuade, or encourage

📦 Materials Needed

  • Author's purpose cards
  • Sample texts (informative, persuasive, entertaining)
  • Colored markers
  • Large poster board
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle. Ask them to share a story they recently read and why they enjoyed it.

💭 Review Question: What made that story interesting to you?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain that authors write for different reasons: to inform (teach), to persuade (convince), or to entertain (make happy).

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Authors want to share something important
  • Different types of writing have different goals
  • Understanding why an author writes helps us read better
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Can you think of a book that made you laugh?
  • What's a book that taught you something new?
  • Have you read something that tried to change your mind?
3Activity: Author's Purpose Sorting (7 min)
hands-on

Sort sample texts into three categories: inform, persuade, entertain

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide students into small groups
  2. Give each group different texts
  3. Have them discuss and place texts in correct purpose category
  4. Share findings with whole class
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher helps guide sorting process

Challenge: Students explain why they chose each category

4Closing (3 min)

Recap the three purposes of writing

📝 Review Questions:
  • What are the three reasons authors write?
  • Can you give an example of each type?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving people the ability to write and share stories that teach, encourage, and make us happy.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how authors inform readers

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 16:23

“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.”

— Proverbs 16:23 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Whisper Message Game - Children pass a helpful message around the circle

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Understanding author's purpose is a critical reading comprehension skill

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Discuss different texts at home
  • Ask children why they think an author wrote something
  • Encourage reading diverse materials
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might confuse purposes initially

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to categorize texts and explain reasoning

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a class book with different purpose writings
  • Have children write a short text for each purpose
  • Watch short educational videos about author's purpose

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 147 →Back to Phonics & Reading