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