Every writing unit should start with mentor texts. Students need many examples of the type of writing we expect them to do. In this article, I've compiled my favorite middle school mentor texts. Each mentor text includes grade levels, a summary of the text and skills you could teach. Note: This article doesn't cover how to teach using mentor texts. Read how to … [Read more...] about Mentor Texts for Middle School by Genre+Summaries and Skills to Teach
Mentor Texts
Teach Students HOW to Use Mentor Texts
Most writing workshop teachers know what a mentor text is (examples of writing). But, what about how to use a mentor text? When I scoured the internet for the answer to this pressing question I found very little. Thus...this post. I came up with a five step process for using any mentor text. I hope it inspires you to try the process yourself! 1. Choose Mentor Texts Before … [Read more...] about Teach Students HOW to Use Mentor Texts
Launching Writing Workshop: The First 14 Days
This article outlines exactly what I did to launch both reading and writing workshop in my classroom. If you are an English teacher wanting to teach using the writing and reading workshop model, then this post is exactly what you've been looking for! You'll find my exact lesson outline for 14 total school days. Students will get to know each other, you'll build a writing … [Read more...] about Launching Writing Workshop: The First 14 Days
Realizations About Teaching Writing
I've been teaching writing workshop for four years now with no formal training. Last week I attended the Summer Writing Institute in NYC organized and facilitated by the leading think tank in writing instruction today, aka Lucy Calkins and her incredibly inspiring and talented crew. It is a daunting task to synthesize a life changing week into one blog post, but it is a MUST, … [Read more...] about Realizations About Teaching Writing
Ten Places to Find Mentor Texts
What is a mentor text anyway? A mentor text is any text used to model the type of writing your students are learning. Mentor texts are the backbone of writing workshop because students need to see what the pros do, to get inspired in their own writing! Mentor texts can also be called writing samples, or examples. One of the most challenging parts of being a writing teacher … [Read more...] about Ten Places to Find Mentor Texts