The Power of Mentor Texts The Power of Mentor Texts CRWP 2009
Mentors/Mentor TextsMentors/Mentor TextsWriting mentors are for everyone-
teachers as well as students
Mentor texts are books that offer many possibilities for our students and ourselves as writers
They become our coaches and partners as we bring the joy of writing to our students
What are mentor texts?What are mentor texts?Literature we return to again and again
They help writers learn how to do what they may not be able to do on their own
Texts well loved by the teacher and known inside and out
Snapshots into the future
Why use Mentor Texts? Why use Mentor Texts? To ignite the writer’s imagination and
determination To create text that mirrors the
mentor helping students feel comfortable taking risks
To allow us to focus on writing skills and strategies because the text is so familiar
To show not just tell students how to write well
Choosing a Mentor Text Choosing a Mentor Text 1. Connect with and love the book
2. Find examples of author’s craft: powerful language, effective repetition
3. Ask how does the book serve your students’ needs and connect with your curriculum
4. Choose books from many genres
Introducing Mentor Texts Introducing Mentor Texts Introduce them as read-alouds,
appreciating and responding to them as readers
Look at them through the eyes of a writer
Revisit mentor texts to: Search for craft Gather ideas
Shelley Harwayne reminds Shelley Harwayne reminds us, us, “Writers take their writing very
seriously. When they read, they discover topics for their writing. They become interested in new genres and formats. They study authors’ techniques to learn how to improve their own writing. They develop mentor relationships with their favorite writers, aspiring to be more like them.”
Teacher as Writer Teacher as Writer
Is a core belief we must articulate to students, colleagues, and ourselves
Writing for our students is part of the explicit instruction we do for them
Helps us engage in the same struggles and problem solving strategies as our students
How Mentor Texts Fit How Mentor Texts Fit into the Curriculum into the Curriculum Teachers need to model the
strategy they hope their students will use
Find mentor texts where the author’s use is clear
A small section of text is needed to model the strategy
Gradual Release of Gradual Release of Responsibilty Responsibilty Pearson and Gallagher, 1993 Pearson and Gallagher, 1993
To◦ Model - demonstration of strategy
With◦ Shared/Guided Writing
By◦ Independent Writing
Reading mentor texts is important prior to modeling the target strategy
Reflection Time Reflection Time Writing is creating text and
critiquing what was created
Students notice things and ask questions about:◦ particular strategies◦ craft◦organizational structures
◦Reflection is the most powerful form of revision
Writing WorkshopWriting Workshop10-15 minute focused mini-lesson
35 minutes of working time (students writing/teacher conferring)
10 minutes of reflection time
10 minutes of sharing time
References References Cappelli, R. & Dorfman, L.R. 2007. Mentor Texts: Teaching Writing
Through Children’s Literature, K-6. Portland: Stenhouse.
Fletcher, Ralph. 1993. What a Writer Needs. Portsmouth: Heinemann.
Calkins, L. & Oxenhorn, A. 2003. Small Moments: Personal Narrative Writing. Portsmouth: Heinemann.
Walther, Maria. 2009. Marvelous Books and Lively Mini-Lessons That Teach the Six Traits of Writing. Torrance: SDR.
Websiteshttp://www.proteacher.org/c/722_Writing_-
_Descriptive_Writing.html
Google Images http://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi