Mentor Text
When teachers use mentor
text…they are teaching students to
read like writers.
Ideas used in this Power Point are from the book,
Mentor Texts; Teaching Writing Through Children’s
Literature, K-6 by L. Dorfman & R. Cappelli
Introducing Mentor Texts
• Use as a Read-Aloud
• Teacher/Students respond first as readers.
(share and model thinking about text)
• Next, Teacher/Students respond as
writers…shared writing…….
(Share and model writing about the text)
• Students write
Shared writing….
Through a short focused mini-lesson.
• Teacher demonstrates the skill or strategy.
• Shared or guided experience with the writing.
• Students work on individual writing.
• Students confer with teacher or peers about
their writing.
• Students share their writing. (small or large
group)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPNCEDxT88&feature=related
Mentor Texts Are…
• Books students can borrow ideas from and/or
imitate the writing style of the author.
Writing
• 10:00-10:15 Writers Workshop Mini Lesson
• 10:15-10:50 Independent Writing with one on
one teacher conferring
• 10:50-11:00 Share writing
Choosing Mentor Texts
• Teachers ask these questions:
• How will the book serve my teaching of
content, comprehension, writing?
• Thinking of connection to writing, does it
model the use of author’s craft I want to
teach? (Writing Trait)
A trait in writing is a quality or characteristic
that all "good" writing shares. There are six
traits in writing. They are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ideas and Content
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Conventions
http://quest.carnegiefoundation.org/~
dpointer/jennifermyers/workshopappr
oach.htm
• Mini-Lesson:
• http://quest.carnegiefoundation.org/~dpointe
r/jennifermyers/videos/jmwwintroqtl.htm
• Conferencing:
• http://quest.carnegiefoundation.org/~dpointe
r/jennifermyers/videos/jmwconf1qtl.htm
Author’s Chair
• http://quest.carnegiefoundation.org/~dpointe
r/jennifermyers/videos/jmauthchrqtl.htm
Modeling Traits
• These questions guide student thinking about
the trait of the writing:
Ideas and Content
The ideas and the content are the heart of the message,
the main theme. Together with the details, the ideas and
content enrich and develop that theme. The reason for
writing a paper. Every paper should convey a message
and be easy to follow.
Model writers questions/thoughts for students:
• What is my message and is it focused and clear?
• Did I include important details relevant to my topic?
• Did the reader learn something new?
• Is my paper interesting and easy to understand?
Organization
Is the internal structure of a piece of writing, How a
writer’s ideas help a reader move through a paper
in a meaningful way.
Modeling:
• Does my beginning hook my reader?
• Is my paper easy to follow? Did I choose the best
way to organize my story?
• Do my ideas link to a main message?
• Do I have a strong conclusion that wraps up the
story?
Voice
The heart, the magic, the wit, along with the feeling
and conviction of the individual writer coming out
through the words. Voice is what gives writing
personality, flavor and style.
Modeling:
• Questions to think about as you write your paper:
• Can you tell I am enthusiastic about my topic?
• Does this writing sound like me?
• How do I want my readers to feel?
• Will my story hold readers' attention? Will they
want to hear more?
Word Choice
Using rich, colorful, precise language that moves
and enlightens the reader. Using specific words to
create images, capture a reader's attention and
make a story memorable.
Modeling
• Look at your paper and decide:
• Have I used some strong verbs or colorful
phrases that grab my reader?
• Have I chosen the most precise word?
• Have I used any unique words?
• Did I repeat common words too many times?
Sentence Fluency
Rhythm and flow of the language, the sound of
word patterns, the way in which the writing plays to
the ear--not just to the eye. Fluent writing has
rhythm. Sentences vary in length and structure. It
is easy and pleasurable to read aloud.
Modeling:
• Is my story easy to read?
• Do my sentences begin in different ways?
• Did I use some long and some short sentences?
• Does my paper sound smooth as I read it aloud?
Conventions
mechanical correctness of the piece-- spelling, grammar and
usage, paragraphing, use of capitals and punctuation.
conventions. These include spelling, punctuation, grammar,
capitalization and paragraphing. Proper use of conventions
make a story easy for others to read.
Modeling:
• Did I leave spaces between words and sentences?
• Did I use a title?
• Did I use correct punctuation?
• Did I use capital letters in the right places?
• Have I proofread for correct spelling and grammar?
• Have I indented any new paragraphs?