USING MENTOR TEXTS
Cora Jaeger - Section C - 9/10/15
"The key purpose of writing is to communicate clearly."
Key Points from the Article
Mentor texts, or model texts, used outside of the language arts content area, give teachers the opportunity to show students the real-life applications of their written work. Studying mentor texts allows students to see how other writers shape their ideas and communicate them. Additionally, it adds a level of consistency in writing instruction, as schools across the U.S. should be able to find and model familiar writing strategies in types of mentor texts. There are three important factors in using mentor texts; they must provide strong examples, allow for engagement in active noticing, and give levels of support.
Other ways in which mentor texts can aid students in understanding what successful writing is includes examples of structures used in social studies and science writing, as well as the importance of carefully choosing your words. Keeping in mind the goal of writing being clear communication, mentor texts aid in modeling for students how good writing leaves nothing up to chance for it's readers - an important concept to learn in both social studies and science writings.
"... using mentor texts closely mirrors what writers do in the discipline; therefore, it offers real-world habits and implications."
Magazine Sources for Mentor Texts
Magazine Sources for Mentor Texts
Magazine Sources for Mentor Texts
Reflection
Russell Freedman
Loree Griffin Burns
Kathleen Krull
3 Questions
Do you think mentor texts would be more useful if you picked them or if your students did? Why?
Why is the use of mentor texts particularly useful when teaching social studies and science?
How do you think the use of mentor texts may continue to shift in the classroom?