Here are some frequently asked questions about mentor texts. I have answered them to the best of my ability. Feel free to post comments and check back periodically for updates.
What is a “mentor text”?
According to Annemarie Johnson, a professional educational consultant and creator of the website Teacher2TeacherHelp.com, “A mentor text is a piece of writing that can be used to teach a writer about some aspect of writer’s process or craft.” (Retrieved from http://www.teacher2teacherhelp.com/mentor-texts/).
Who uses mentor texts?
Teachers use these texts as models of quality writing in the classroom. They use mentor texts to teach students about the craft of writing – but mentor texts can also be used to teach reading skills and strategies.
What exactly can students learn from mentor texts?
People can learn about the craft of writing by studying the work of an expert. There are many things that professional writers do really well that we want students to learn about and imitate in their own writing. Some of these elements are: strong and clear ideas, logical organization, voice/tone, interesting and appropriate word choice, natural and rhythmic sentence fluency, and correct conventions. Teachers will typically focus on one or two of these elements at a time, and they will provide many examples and lots of opportunities for practice.
If you’d like to learn more about the traits of writing, you can go to the OWL (Online Writing Lab) website for elementary students. This is a very good website for teachers and families who are looking for activities, resources, and information about writing.
Why are the mentor texts called “focus books” on this blog?
The focus books are mentor texts that are currently ”front and center” on my blog. They are in the spotlight – the stars of the show! These mentor texts are the ones I am really excited about right now, and I want to share them with you. I try to pick books that will give you a starting point for finding other great books… so they might be part of a series, or written/illustrated by someone really talented, or special in some unique way.
Where can I find a list of recommended mentor texts?
The website WritingFix.com has a bibliography (book list) for teachers and librarians, including lesson links. Parents, you may want to check out the website RaisingReadersandWriters.com because there is so much there for families – including a mentor texts category.
