Focus on Writing: The

Importance ofMentor Text

Keith Pruitt, Ed.SWords of Wisdom

Educational Consultingwww.woweducationalconsulting.com

A “mentor piece” is a short text or portion of a text used as a support for the work we are trying to accomplish in the workshop. Judy Davis and Sharon Hill, The No-

Nonsense Guide to Teaching Writing, p10

Pearson’s From Reading to Writing capitalizes on connecting reading and writing and using mentor text.

Have students reflect on what they have read.

Important to look at the vocabulary in the reading. These become key writing

transfers.

Let’s Write!!! Here’s the model.

Harriet TubmanBy Eloise Greenfield

Harriet Tubman didn’t take no stuffWasn’t scared of nothing neitherDidn’t come in this world to be no slaveAnd wasn’t going to stay one either

“Farewell!” she sang to her friends one nightShe was mighty sad to leave ‘emBut she ran away that dark, hot nightRan looking for her freedom

She ran to the woods and she ran through the woodsWith the slave catchers right behind herAnd she kept on going till she got to the NorthWhere those mean men couldn’t find her

Nineteen times she went back SouthTo get three hundred othersShe ran for her freedom nineteen timesTo save Black sisters and brothers

(repeat first stanza)

•Let’s Remember the Words•Now let’s take one word to our desk•Let’s write about that word

Harriet TubmanBy Eloise Greenfield

Harriet Tubman didn’t take no stuffWasn’t scared of nothing neitherDidn’t come in this world to be no slaveAnd wasn’t going to stay one either

“Farewell!” she sang to her friends one nightShe was mighty sad to leave ‘emBut she ran away that dark, hot nightRan looking for her freedom

She ran to the woods and she ran through the woodsWith the slave catchers right behind herAnd she kept on going till she got to the NorthWhere those mean men couldn’t find her

Nineteen times she went back SouthTo get three hundred othersShe ran for her freedom nineteen timesTo save Black sisters and brothers

(repeat first stanza)

This exercise just showed an example of how to use a mentor text.

Let’s look at some other ways of using mentor text and discuss why mentor text are important.

The Importance of Mentor Text

1. Serves as a starting gate for writing.

2. Mirrors the expectation for the writing to be done.

3. Serves as a point for mini-lessons, ie. Using adjectives effectively

4. Gives students guidance for different genres and text types.

Next you will see a picture.

With a partner, I want you to just list the things you see in this picture.

You will only see the picture for 5 seconds.

Take one of the details from the picture and with a partner tell each other the beginnings of a story.

Now I want you to just make some notes about what your partner told you.

My Mind’s Eye

Projection Screen Image The Author’s Words

My Mind’s Eye

Projection Screen Image The Author’s Words

He sat close to the fire, his chin in his hand. It was dusk, and the dogs lay beside him on the warm hearthstones. --Sarah Plain and Tall, p.1

Every Sense Counts

Good writers are good readers…. Notice how authors craft their writing because I find great writing fascinating and because I am always looking to become a better writer.

--Regie Routman, Writing Essentials

p. 43

And the more experience children have in reading and writing, the more meaningful their writing becomes. Growth in reading positively impacts writing, and growth in writing positively impacts reading.

--Regie Routman, Writing Essentials,

P 120

The concept of a mentor text is important. A mentor is one who models, coaches, and lifts another to higher levels. With that in mind, a mentor text must be chosen carefully to ensure that it can establish a model of quality writing that is worthy of guiding our learners.

--Linda Hoyt, Interactive Read-Alouds

Teacher’s Guide,

What Makes a Piece of Literature a Good Mentor Text?

Engages students imaginations.The text is well written and provides many opportunities to teach good writing practices (Davis & Hill, p. 10)The text can obviously serve to help students understand what is expected in their writing.

In working with English Language Learners, what are the obstacles to teaching Writing?

How can mentor text help provide a bridge from reading to writing for these students?

Turn and Talk

In this presentation we have looked at the importance of mentor text. The importance of connecting reading and writing is definite.

Thank You

Keith PruittWords of Wisdom

Educational Consulting

www.woweducationalconsulting.com