Mentor Texts by Amy https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii Please post what resonated with you and why. en-us 2017-09-28 17:36:06 UTC 2017-09-28 17:58:55 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192200196 Students need time to study, analyze, and critique the way a variety of authors write. Focusing on purpose, rhythm, and structure will help students be able to become better writers. We cannot simply expect students to know how to write in a variety of formats when we don't spend time with them analyzing these formats and the ways the authors write. Spending time having these discussions will help students identify writing styles and spending time practicing writing will help them develop their own writing style. ]]> 2017-09-28 17:42:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192200196 https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192200835 My students struggle with getting what's in their head down on paper. I think mentor text will help them see how "good writers" write, which in turn will help them become better writers themselves and boost their confidence to become better writers. ]]> 2017-09-28 17:43:38 UTC https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192200835 As I read this, I realized that I use mentor texts each time I write a paper. I always try to provide my students with a model, but it is something that I do in front of them. Maybe giving them samples would be another way to mix it up. https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192203516 2017-09-28 17:48:26 UTC https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192203516 Since being in elementary, I have seen the value of annotation which I tended to skip over for writing in my HS classroom. There is tremendous value in paying attention to the way someone writes. What did they say, how did they say, what words did they use, why did they use that word, etc. There is a ton of overlap between the Questioning PD from yesterday and the Writing PD today. https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192203838 2017-09-28 17:49:00 UTC https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192203838 Mentor texts gives students a focus and and a structure for writing. It allows them to see a purpose that someone else has for writing and gives validity to their purpose as well. For those reluctant writers, it gives them a starting point for writing. https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192204752 2017-09-28 17:50:28 UTC https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192204752 https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192205458 Anonymous 3m
I think the author makes a very valid point in stating that students need to continuously look back at the model while crafting their writings. It is impossible to develop everything at once. We know brain research proves that we can really only learn one new skill at a time. Therefore, teaching in short 5-7 minute chunks while daily referring to model texts is highly effective. It develops writers over time. I also loved the idea of using some student writings as models. This gives them increasing confidence they are on the right track. 
]]> 2017-09-28 17:51:39 UTC https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192205458 krobertson12 https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192205477 With guidance and support is truly modeled and demonstrated throughout this article. ]]> 2017-09-28 17:51:41 UTC https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192205477 Mentor Text Resonates. https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192207237 "Students are used to being asked what is written, but asking them to recognize how a text is written is a shift for many of them. This shift is essential in meeting three of the 10 Common Core anchor standards for reading" (Educational Leadership). I feel that as a teacher and writing we want them to what the text says not how the text is written. We ask them what does a character do not so much as how it is written. Why was it written? How do the words change the tone? This will let students think outside the box and make inferences.]]> 2017-09-28 17:54:51 UTC https://padlet.com/amspencer018/fu0x3bejmrii/wish/192207237