Collecting ideas in a writing jotter provides facts for independent writing.
Model a skill and they will learn. Using mentor texts to teach writing is an excellent method of modeling. The texts provide expert examples of the author's craft. In the article "Using Mentor Texts to Teach Nonfiction Writing to Third Graders" from the Language Arts Journal of Michigan, Melissa Israel explains that the texts allow students to study the author's craft and take risks by trying it in their own writing. Mentor texts are easily integrated into the writing workshop model of mini-lesson, independent writing and sharing.
Instructions
1. Tap into student interest and model collect ideas for writing. Place the mentor texts around the room so that they are accessible to the students. Let the students explore the texts as they write.5.
Choose a text to model the skill you are teaching. In "Mentor Texts: Teaching Writing Through Children's Literature," Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli explain the first criteria is that you connect to the text in some way and love the book. They also suggest paying attention to the author's craft and if it matches what your students need to learn. Finally, choose texts that showcase a variety of genres.
3. Model the skill that you want your students to use in their writing. Then, share a passage from a mentor text that demonstrates the same skill. For example, Cynthia Rylant's book, "When I Was Young in the Mountains" demonstrates the use of a repetitive phrase.
4. Provide time for independent writing. Each student collects ideas, pictures or thoughts in a writing notebook. In "Writing Workshop," Ralph Fletcher shows writers create an "authority list." Students write down all of the things that they are an authority on such as hobbies, interests or favorite places.2.
Close the writing workshop with a quick review of the skill and several students sharing their writing. Dorfman and Cappelli suggest adding reflection time to allow students to answer, "How well did it work for you?"
