Procedural writing or "How-to" is one of my favorite units to teach during Writers' Workshop! There are so many fun ways to introduce the unit that will engage students. One of the best ways to help students during any writing unit, however, is the use of mentor texts. Mentor texts provide concrete examples of great writing and are motivating! Like I've said before, kids love to emulate authors they admire. In this post, I’ll share some great picture books to use as mentor texts for how-to writing in your classroom, along with a few mini-lesson ideas. This post includes affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage if you purchase through the links, at no cost to you. View my entire Amazon list of Mentor Texts for How-to Writing here. How to be a Cat by nikki mcclure The book is quite simplistic, only featuring one word per page. The story is about a young kitten who is learning how to be a cat. This is a ... read more
Search Results for: mentor texts
Personal Narrative Writing Mentor Text
Getting kids to write a personal narrative can be tricky. Most kids loooooove to share stories orally, but getting them to write is a different story. You'll often get complaints that they have nothing to write about, or a bare-bones story with very little detail. I'll be honest and say that Writing Workshop was not my favorite part of the day. But, when I learned to use mentor texts to guide my students to become better writers, it really helped so much! Mentor texts provide concrete examples of great writing and are motivating; kids love to emulate authors they admire. In this post, I'll share my 3 favorite mentor texts for teaching the personal narrative genre, then I'll also share mini-lesson ideas for one of them! This post includes affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage if you purchase through the links, at no cost to you. My favorite personal narrative mentor texts Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall is ... read more
5 Tips to Support Emergent Writers in the Drawing Stage
Teaching writing can be hard, especially in Kindergarten! I often see the initial focus of writing workshops placed on text as opposed to spending the necessary time supporting emergent writers in the drawing stage. I think this can be one of the things that makes teaching writing to these littles so hard. If you’re new to writing workshops, make sure to read this Beginner’s Guide to Writing Workshops in Kindergarten and First Grade. And, check out 6 Steps to Launching a Smooth Writing Workshop in Your Classroom to make sure your writing workshop gets off on the right foot. Too often, the early focus in writing workshops is placed on text. Students are rushed into writing words without taking the appropriate time to learn about storytelling through pictures. It’s important to me to never rush these emerging writers through this drawing stage. They may be 5, 6, or possibly even 4, and they’re all at different ... read more
6 Critical Steps to Launching a Smooth Writing Workshop in Your Classroom
If you’ve been here before, you know I LOVE teaching writing. I think there are so many benefits to incorporating a writing workshop into your kindergarten or first-grade classroom! If you are not familiar with the writing workshop model, it is a method of teaching writing that consists of four main components: Mini-Lesson, where you teach and model a strategyIndependent writing time, when kids put the strategy into practiceSharing timeConferring, where you get to talk with students about their writing and provide targeted instruction, either 1:1 or in small groups The goal of the writing workshop model is to expose children to different genres, and teach them how to compose a writing piece in each genre, all while learning about the writing process. Very cool, right? If you’re new to writing workshop, make sure to read this Beginner’s Guide to Writing Workshops in Kindergarten and First Grade. And, ... read more
A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Workshop in Kindergarten & First Grade
In terms of both support and resources, writing seems to take a back seat to reading in many districts. Some teachers are given curriculum that's either overwhelming, not developmentally appropriate or nothing at all. So, today I want to go through each component of the Writing Workshop in detail to help you implement it in your classroom. There are many benefits to incorporating Writing Workshop into your classroom, especially in Kindergarten and First Grade! If you are not familiar with this model, Writing Workshop is a method of teaching writing that consists of four main components; a mini-lesson, independent writing time, and sharing, as well as conferring with students about their writing. Its goal is to expose children to different genres, and teach them how to compose a writing piece in each genre, while learning about the writing process. It's a very flexible system that you can use with the resources you have. This ... read more
Reading Project: Reading, Writing, Craft, Bulletin Board Display
This exciting reading project will motivate your students to read and will make a beautiful bulletin board display! This is a reading/writing project based on the theme: Reading Takes You Places! Included: ~List of mentor texts (books and poems) to kick-off the project theme ~Reading Craftivity (thinking bubble and summary slip)- After finding a book that "takes" your student somewhere special, he/she will fill out a thinking bubble describing where it took them, fill out a summary, create the cover page, make a craft of themselves reading, and assemble to make an adorable literature-based display. ~Patterns for craft (head and hands) ~Printable sign to assemble: "Reading Takes You Places" ~Sample bulletin board pictures ~Ideas for how to implement (explicit lesson plan, suggestions) ~Extensions: Student reading log, Book review form (for use in classroom or within a school-wide reading program) ~Making ... read more
Why and How to Teach Sequencing
I had so many questions after reading one of my student's stories: "I asked my mom if I could have cake and my sister got mad at me. Mom said it was ok so we had the cake. My dad got the cake for my mom." After questioning, I learned that Dad had bought a birthday cake for Mom and had planned to surprise her after dinner. When the girl asked for cake early, her sister was upset she'd ruined the surprise! Most kids can sequence things they do on a daily basis, but they have a harder time sequencing events in a story, and an even harder time organizing their thoughts with transition words. Similarly, when asked to retell stories, kids often leave out key events or tell them out of order. Sometimes, they'll get so confused they just shut down and say they can't remember. If kids don't learn how to sequence in a meaningful way, it will hinder their reading comprehension. So we need to teach sequencing in an explicit ... read more
Strategies for Supporting Struggling Writers
Getting kids to love writing can be difficult sometimes, especially if they are struggling writers. It's normal to dislike something you're not good at (or think you're not good at). I dislike bowling because I have terrible aim and usually end up in the gutter. But, I'm sure if I had the patience took the time to learn some tips, I'd enjoy it more! Similarly, your students can learn to like writing, with a few little motivating tweaks. Try some of these tips for supporting struggling writers and get your students excited about your writing block! 1. Oral Practice Sometimes telling a story helps the transition from thought to paper. Have kids share their writing plans with a friend before starting. Have students work with the same writing partner throughout a unit, so they become familiar with their peer's story and can offer suggestions for adding details. 2. Choice: Too much or not enough! This is a big one. Choice ... read more
How to Get Students Writing Independently During Writing Workshop
Writing is hard for many kids! If you run a writing workshop, you know how important it is to have kids writing independently. Yet, there are many challenges kids can have during this time that can lead to frustration and less-than-ideal work! Teachers face a huge challenge when kids aren't able to work independently during writing workshop, too. If you are constantly getting interrupted by kids who need help or have to stop to get kids back on task, it's almost impossible to conduct writing conferences effectively. How to help kids write independently When kids learn strategies for specific writing challenges, they're much more likely to overcome them independently. This leaves you free to conference with students and monitor the class (so no one is crawling under tables or eating crayons)! One awesome way to teach kids independence during writing workshop is to make a "Writing Challenges" anchor chart. Together, make a ... read more
Writing Bundle: Adding Labels, Dialogue, Onomatopoeias
These packs are perfect for helping beginning writers bring their writing to life! 3 important writing skills are included in this bundle: Labeling & Writing Sentences- 100 sets **PLUS 30 NEW Phonics sets! Adding Dialogue- 25 sets Adding Onomatopoeias- 31 sets *NEW* FREE digital upgrades included for the Dialogue and Onomatopoeia resources! BONUSES: Each pack comes with lesson suggestions, including suggested mentor texts. There are also bonuses in each pack. See the previews for each to see what is included. *English and Spanish pages in all packs (except phonics) * You can purchase this same Writing Bundle from my TPT store if you prefer. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful year! Brenda Tejeda-Tejeda's Tots ... read more