Casey's Mentor Text Library by

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle

cawayne — 2025-09-18 20:08:03 UTC

How: This book has a lot of repetition which will allow the students to predict language patterns. They will also notice rhyme, sequencing, and sentence structure.

Activities: Students can create a rhyming book, draw pictures to relate to short sentences that rhyme throughout the book.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin

cawayne — 2025-09-18 20:16:39 UTC

How: This book introduces persuasive writing through humor and letters.

Activities: Students can write their own farm animal “demands” or practice letter writing with requests.

How to Write a Story by Kate Messner, illustrated by Mark Siegel

cawayne — 2025-09-18 20:19:58 UTC

How: This book directly shows the writing process in a narrative-friendly way.

Activities: Students can use it as a guide to draft their own stories, brainstorm characters/settings, or make step-by-step story maps.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr

cawayne — 2025-09-18 20:22:27 UTC

How: This book is a clear language and has descriptive images to model how to “show, not tell.” This is an excellent for narrative writing and building sensory detail.

Activities: Students can write personal narratives about family traditions, nature walks, or experiences under the night sky, focusing on imagery and sensory detail.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault

cawayne — 2025-10-09 16:52:05 UTC

How: The playful rhyme and rhythm model how sound can support meaning in writing. The alphabet focus helps emergent writers connect letters with creative expression.

Activities: Students will write alphabet poems using rhyming words. They will decorate each letter with descriptive words or pictures.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers

cawayne — 2025-10-09 16:53:45 UTC

How: This book teaches students about voice and perspective in writing. Each crayon’s letter demonstrates personality through word choice.

Activities: Students will pick a classroom item and write 2–3 sentences from its point of view. They will add a drawing to support their writing.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

cawayne — 2025-10-09 16:56:47 UTC

How: This book teaches point of view and perspective in a fun, familiar context. It shows how retelling can shift meaning in writing.

Activities: Students will rewrite a fairy tale, as a class, from a new character’s point of view. They will use voice and tone to match the perspective.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

cawayne — 2025-10-09 17:06:06 UTC

How: The free verse style makes poetry accessible for students. It also shows how personal experiences can be turned into writing.

Activities: Students will write their own free verse poem inspired by an object, pet, or event. They will share it aloud to practice expression.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

cawayne — 2025-10-09 17:19:21 UTC

How: This book models persuasive writing in a humorous way that captures student attention. The speech bubbles also support understanding of dialogue in text.

Activities: Students will complete sentence frames to write their own persuasive “Pigeon” page (“Don’t let the pigeon ___ because ___”). They will illustrate their page to show their idea.

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

cawayne — 2025-10-09 17:32:20 UTC

How: This book encourages reflection and helps students connect feelings to writing. The simple but powerful language models strong word choice.

Activates: Students will write a kindness promise using sentence frames (“I will show kindness by ___”). They will decorate it with symbols of kindness.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

cawayne — 2025-10-09 17:33:59 UTC

How: The text uses dialogue and description to show community and setting. It helps students notice details in everyday life.

Activities: Students will use a guided graphic organizer to describe a place they go with their family. They will add at least one sensory detail (see, hear, smell).

Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse

cawayne — 2025-10-09 17:35:26 UTC

How: The book’s imagery and figurative language model creative writing. It helps students expand word choice when writing about weather.

Activities: Students will complete a sentence-starter poem about the weather (“Rain feels like ___,” “Rain sounds like ___”). They will add a watercolor or crayon illustration.

What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada

cawayne — 2025-10-09 17:38:55 UTC

How: This story models problem-solution writing and encourages reflection. It helps students turn challenges into meaningful writing topics.

Activities: Students will write a short paragraph about a problem they solved using sentence frames. They will draw before/after pictures to show their story.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

cawayne — 2025-10-09 17:42:03 UTC

How: This book uses humor and predictable situations to teach empathy. The simple language supports students who need concrete, repetitive storylines.

Activities: Students will write and draw about one classroom rule using sentence frames (“We don’t ___ because ___”). They will illustrate their own “class rule” page.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

cawayne — 2025-10-09 17:43:29 UTC

How: This book models personal narrative and resilience, connecting with students who struggle in school. It shows how experiences shape writing.

Activities: Students will write a thank-you note to someone who helped them. They will add one illustration that shows the act of kindness.