Literate Voices Summer Academy
Day 12 – Publishing Studio: Finishing, Designing & Preparing for the Author Showcase
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Learning Targets
By the end of today, students will:
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Complete any remaining artwork for their visual portfolio pieces.
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Collaborate to design professional anthology cover concepts.
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Create an individual section cover that represents their own story.
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Select and rehearse a short passage to prepare for the Author Showcase.
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Give and receive constructive peer feedback.
Essential Question
How can design, artwork, and oral presentation strengthen the way readers experience our stories?
Schedule
TimeActivity
8:30–8:45Morning Meeting & Goals
8:45–10:15Studio Session 1: Finish Artwork
10:15–10:25Break
10:25–11:50Team Anthology Cover Challenge
11:50–12:30Lunch
12:30–1:30Individual Section Covers in Canva
1:30–2:00Author Reading Practice
2:00–2:25Peer Showcase & Feedback
2:25–2:30Reflection & Submit Today's Work
Morning Mini Lesson (15 minutes)
Today's Focus
Explain that professional authors spend almost as much time polishing and presenting their work as they do writing it.
Today students become:
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Illustrator
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Designer
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Publisher
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Speaker
Remind students:
Great books don't just have great stories.
They also have thoughtful artwork, strong design, and confident authors.
Studio Session 1
Finish Portfolio Artwork
Students complete any unfinished visual pieces.
Checklist:
□ Lifemap
□ Name Poster
□ Family Tree
□ Family Comic
□ Friendship Comic
□ Hero Comic
□ Dreams Comic
Teacher conferences with students who still need revisions.
Studio Session 2
Team Anthology Cover Challenge
Students work in teams of 3–4.
Challenge:
Create a cover concept for the class anthology.
Each team should decide:
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Title
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Color palette
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Font choices
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Images
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Layout
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Overall mood
Requirements:
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Includes title
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Includes subtitle
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Includes school name
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Includes class year
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Represents everyone's stories
After 45–60 minutes each team gives a 2-minute design pitch explaining:
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Why they chose the design
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What message it communicates
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Why readers would want to pick up the book
Publishing Studio
Individual Section Cover (Canva)
Each student creates a title page for their own section of the anthology.
Should include:
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Chapter title
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Name
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One illustration
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Color scheme
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One meaningful quotation or sentence from their chapter
Encourage students to think about visual symbolism and consistency with the tone of their writing.
Author Showcase Practice
Students choose:
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Their favorite chapter
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OR the section they feel best represents them
Select 2–3 sentences that are meaningful, descriptive, or powerful.
Reading Practice
Partner A reads.
Partner B gives feedback using:
✓ Loud enough
✓ Good pace
✓ Eye contact
✓ Expression
✓ Clear pronunciation
Switch roles.
Practice at least three times.
Peer Showcase
Several volunteers read to the class.
Audience responds with:
"I liked..."
"A line that stood out..."
"One suggestion..."
Exit Reflection
Students complete:
Today I finished...
My favorite design today was...
Tomorrow I want to finish...
My reading confidence is:
⭐ 1
⭐⭐ 2
⭐⭐⭐ 3
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5
Materials Needed
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Computers
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Google Slides portfolios
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Canva
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Headphones (optional)
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Colored pencils/markers
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Printed drafts
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Peer feedback forms
Homework
Practice reading your selected passage aloud three times to a family member, friend, or even in front of a mirror. Focus on speaking slowly, clearly, and with expression so your audience can enjoy your story.