Mentor TextsPresented

byAllison Beaudry

Goal of Today’s Session•Discuss how to use mentor texts

•Share and engage in lessons for the classroom

•Share resources

•Inspire the use of mentor texts!

A mentor text is a piece of writing that you can return to many times throughout the year for many reasons.

(Dorfman & Cappelli, 2007, 2012)

•Mentor texts are often chosen because they are well-known and loved. As we return to these texts throughout the year we almost memorize the stories as we examine the way the text was crafted. Whether we are looking at the way the text is structured or how the author describes a setting, these books become our mentors or coaches. Students are inspired to mimic their favorite authors.

(Dorfman & Cappelli, 2007, 2012)

It is okay to borrow ideas from authors! This is human nature. We learn to walk, talk, and do almost anything by imitating what others do.

(Dorfman & Cappelli, 2007, 2012)

Why Use Mentor Texts?•Bridge the gap between reading and writing!

•Differentiate Instruction

•INSPIRE!!!

Teaching Readingwith Mentor Texts

•Reading Strategies – visualize, inferring, etc.

•Comprehension Skills – plot, main idea, etc.

•Figurative Language – simile, metaphor, etc.

•Parts of Speech – adjectives, prepositions , etc.

Teaching Text Structurewith Mentor Texts

•Sequence•Cause & Effect•Problem & Solution•Compare & Contrast•Description

Teaching Writing Domains with Mentor Texts

•Focus•Content•Organization•Style•Conventions

“We introduce books as read-alouds, appreciating them and responding to them as readers. Then we revisit them through the eyes of a writer!”

(Dorfman & Cappelli, 2007, p.5)

Two Bad Antsby Chris Van Allsburg

•Reading Connections• Visualizing• Point of View

•Writing Connections• Style/Word Choice

A New Version(Story Elements)

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

by Laura Numeroff

•Reading Connections• Cause & Effect (Text Structure)

•Writing Connections• Organization

Hailstones and Halibut Bones

by Mary O’Neill•Reading Connections• Similes & Metaphors

•Writing Connections• Content – 5 Senses• Style – Figurative Language

Rememberingby Patricia C. McKissack

•Writing Connections• Focus• Content• Organization• Style• Conventions

Extension Ideas

Teachable MomentsBridge Reading & Writing

Transitions

Organization4 Paragraph Essay

Resources, Questions, and Evaluations

Thank you and Good Luck!

Find inspiration through your favorite authors!