What is an Author’s Chair?
An Author’s Chair is a powerful educational tool used in classrooms to promote literacy, boost confidence, and encourage peer feedback. This practice involves a designated chair or space where students take turns reading their written work aloud to their classmates. The concept was popularized by Donald Graves in the 1980s as part of the writing workshop approach.
When a student sits in the Author’s Chair, they become the center of attention, sharing their creative efforts with an attentive audience. This process serves multiple purposes:
- It validates the student‘s work and efforts.
- It provides an opportunity for the author to hear their own writing, often leading to self-editing.
- It encourages active listening skills in the audience.
- It fosters a supportive classroom community.
- It allows for constructive feedback from peers and teachers.
The Author’s Chair is not just about reading aloud; it’s an interactive experience. After the reading, classmates typically ask questions, offer compliments, and provide suggestions. This feedback loop helps young writers understand their audience’s perspective and refine their writing skills.
Implementing an Author’s Chair in the classroom requires careful guidance from the teacher to ensure a positive and constructive atmosphere. When used effectively, it can significantly enhance students’ writing abilities, public speaking skills, and overall confidence in their creative expression.