Mentor+Text+Assignment

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.
 * =__**Getting Ready:**__=

Mentor Text Suggestions for assignment:
=__**Library Trip:**__ **Find the book or article**= > == > = =
 * **nonfiction picture books**
 * **//Ranger Rick// magazines**
 * **//National Geographic for Kids// magazines**
 * **//Kids Discover// magazine**
 * **Historical Fiction books/Chapters**
 * Mentor text criteria** (Nia, 1999 and Wood, 1999):
 * Picture books and other short pieces are ideal for mentor texts.
 * You have read the text and you love it.
 * You and your students have talked about the text as readers first.
 * You find many things to teach in the text:
 * Ways with words; powerful language
 * Interesting structures
 * Interesting ideas or writing concepts
 * Conventions
 * You can imagine talking about the text for a very long time.
 * Your entire class can have access to the text.
 * Your students can read the text independently or with some support.
 * The text is a little more sophisticated than the writing of your best students.
 * The text is written by a writer you trust.
 * The text is a good example of a particular kind of writing (genre).
 * The text is of a genre you are studying.
 * It has background information included.
 * It reminds you of other texts.
 * =**__Watch__ these videos before you look for mentor text books in the library:**=
 * =__**Complete the Assignment:**__=