A visual, structured early-literacy lesson designed for students with autism to differentiate between authors and illustrators. Students explore the distinct roles of writing words and creating pictures through concrete visual anchors, multi-sensory gestures, and guided practice.
"Look at my hand. I am holding a pencil. The author writes the words! (Pretend to write in the air). Say it with me: 'Author writes words.' Show me your writing hands!"
Teaching the Illustrator:
"Look at my hand now. I am holding a paintbrush. The illustrator makes the pictures! (Paint in the air). Say it with me: 'Illustrator makes pictures.' Show me your painting hands!"
Multi-Tiered Differentiation Matrix
Level 1: High Support Sensory / AAC
• Provide tactile cut-out cards (pencil symbol vs. palette symbol).
• Allow student to point or eye-gaze at choices.
• In activity: Student uses stamps, stickers, or finger-paint for the illustrator section.
Success: Identifies role with 2 visual choices.
Level 2: Moderate Standard
• Traces the vocabulary words "Author" and "Illustrator".
• Independently matches icon to definition on the worksheet.
• Dictates or copies a 3-word sentence and draws an illustration.
Success: Matches 4/4 correctly with verbal prompt.
Level 3: Extension Advanced
• Inspects 2 physical library books and finds both names on the cover.
• Explains what would happen if a book had no illustrator or no author.
• Writes original sentence and draws matching detailed scene.
Common Confusion: Many students assume one person does everything, or confuse the illustrator with an author who uses colors. Keep the role distinction binary: "Did they hold a pen to write words, or a brush to color?" If stuck, point to the visual cue card.
Book Builders Lesson Bundle • Special Education Resource Page 2 of 2
