3 Frequently Asked Questions About Mentor Texts
I have always loved teaching reading and writing.
However, for many years, I looked for a little something extra to add to my lesson plans that would make an even bigger impact on my students. I wanted to ensure that I was helping students grasp more challenging writing concepts and truly reach their potential as writers. After trying different strategies, I found that using modeled writing pieces during instruction truly helps students bloom as writers.
Simply put, mentor texts are writing pieces that provide students with examples of the concept you are teaching. They clearly illustrate the expectations for student learning. Mentor texts are studied in class as exemplars and set the standard for student work.
Modeled writing can positively impact how your students write essays and narrative pieces and approach any writing activity.
My love of annotating mentor texts runs deep, so I am often asked many questions about why and how to use mentor texts.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions that I receive about using mentor texts.
Why should I use mentor texts during writing instruction?
Modeled writing brings a visual explanation for students to help them understand and see the concepts you are teaching in action. I love to use modeled writing when we learn about a new writing genre, introduce a new writing technique, or review a previously taught concept.
Using modeled writing helps writers of all levels, especially struggling writers. Sharing and annotating a previously written example allows students to see an entire piece from beginning to end. This helps reluctant writers get started and gives them an end target, too.
Using modeled writing examples provides many benefits:
engages and motivates students
shows students exactly what is expected of them
kicks off rich, meaningful discourse among your students
gives students the confidence to take risks in their writing
allows students to practice their revision skills by improving the modeled writing example as you work as a class to improve it
Where can I find mentor texts to use with my students?
My go-to mentor texts are always picture books! I love using picture books as mentor texts because the text is often short. You can grab a picture book and read it aloud or type the picture book's text and shine it on the whiteboard to annotate together.
I also love using writing pieces from previous years' students. I always ask permission from students to use their writing as a mentor text the following year. I have made it a practice never to share the actual piece from the student. Instead, I type it. Students are always wowed to learn that the modeled writing I share is a student's writing. It is highly motivating for students to see writing from someone their age. It also inspires them to take risks with their writing during the year, knowing that their writing may serve as a mentor text for other students.
Don't have that perfect picture book or a previous student's writing piece? Write your own! Yes, you! You are an author! You know exactly what your students need to help them grow as writers, so why not write your own?
Grab a list of my favorite picture book mentor texts here.
I have a mentor text; now what?
There are many ways to use mentor texts during your lessons.
There is no right or wrong way to use a mentor text. I love to use one mentor text repeatedly, each time revisiting it with new eyes. First, we might read the book focusing on a writing concept. Then we reread it with a focus on grammar and reread it and concentrate on a reading strategy or concept. The more you read it, the more the ideas you are modeling stick!
During writing, you can get started by shining a modeled writing piece on the whiteboard. Annotate and mark the text by calling attention to the specific concept you teach. You can also review concepts you have taught. Screenshot your work so you can refer to your annotations throughout the writing unit.
You can also have students work together to annotate a mentor text. One activity that I like to do is to give students a scavenger hunt with a typed text. The scavenger hunt includes different elements I want them to find and discuss in the piece. I especially love doing mentor text scavenger hunts at the end of writing units so the students can find all the elements taught throughout the unit.
Using mentor texts is a powerful way to inspire students. You will instantly see growth in your students as writers as you begin to weave mentor texts into your writing lesson plans.
Featured Resource: Literary Essays Writing with Mentor Texts
These activities are perfect to help your students write about their reading. This set easily aligns with any reading and writing unit and allows for easy scaffolding as modeled writing and organizers are provided for both one paragraph literary essay writing and five-paragraph literary essay writing.
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About the author…
Jeanine is the teacher behind the blog: Think Grow Giggle. She has been teaching upper elementary students for 16 years, most recently fifth graders. When it comes to teaching, Jeanine includes her love of reading and writing in every lesson. She loves teaching writing and having the opportunity to bring out the author in each of her students. Jeanine holds a BA from Western Connecticut State University in American Studies and Elementary Education and an MA from Fairfield University in Educational Technology. In addition to being a certified elementary teacher, she is also a certified Reading Specialist for grades K-12. Living on the north shore of Long Island means that her free time is spent at the beach where she enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and spending time with her husband and three children.
