Mentor Texts

Focused Instruction

Definition of Mentor Texts

Mentor text :: a piece of writing that serves as a model or an illustrative example that teachers and students read and reread for different purposes. Any format of writing can serve as a mentor text: poem, argumentative essay, introduction, transition sentences. It can be teacher-created, student-created, or professionally written. According to Sarah Tantillo, the author of The Literacy Cookbook (2013), “The point of the mentor text is not merely to show something that works, but how to do that thing well” (95).

Purpose of Mentor Texts

Mentor texts have a wide-range of uses: “to teach reading or writing strategies, to study genres, to model how to solve problems or apply the scientific method” (Tantillo, 97).

When to use Mentor TextsSelecting a mentor text begins with deciding on the specific strategies that need to be taught, finding the mentor text(s) that best illustrate that technique, and then creating the mini-lesson, teaching the lesson, and taking time to reflect on the learning.

How to use Mentor Texts

Teacher’s Role

· Discuss the purpose of using a mentor texts, so students understand why and how they are being used

· Create a routine for using mentor texts, so students know what is expected of them

· Select mentor texts in service to the learning targets

· Become familiar with the text

· Conduct a read aloud and think aloud with the mentor text

· Plan for formative assessments to check for understanding

Students’ Role

· Attend to the read aloud and think about about the mentor text

· Ask and answer questions about the text

· Refer to the mentor text to support independence

How to Launch a Mentor Text

· Discuss the purpose of using a mentor texts, so students understand why and how they are being used

· Create a routine for using mentor texts, so students know what is expected of them

· Select the mentor text in service to the standards

· Become familiar with the text

· Conduct a read aloud and think aloud with the mentor text

Checklist for Mentor Texts

· Did I discuss the purpose of using a mentor texts, so students understand why and how they are being used?

· Did I create a routine for using mentor texts, so students know what is expected of them?

· Did I select the mentor text in service to the learning targets?

· Did I become familiar with the text?

· Did I conduct a read aloud and think aloud with the mentor text?

· Did I plan for formative assessments to check for understanding?

Materials for Mentor Texts

· MMSD Mentor Text: K-5, 6-8, 9-12

· MMSD Scopes

· Vertical Articulation Guides

Classroom Videos of Mentor Texts

· Elementary Classroom Video · “"Using Mentor Texts K-1--Minilesson ”· Secondary Classroom Video· “Using a Mentor Text - Secondary”

Research for Mentor TextsTantillo, S. (2013). The Literacy Cookbook: A Practical Guide to Effective Reading, Writing,Speaking, and Listening Instruction. San Francisco, California: John Wiley & SonsDorfman, L. and Cappelli, R. (2007) Mentor Texts, Portland, Maine, Stenhouse Publishers