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Writing Wednesday: Using THE TREE LADY as a Writing Mentor Text
The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever By H. Joseph Hopkins Illustrated by Jill McElmurry Beach Lane Books, 2013 This picture book biography about Katherine Olivia Sessions highlights the difference one person can make. Kate lived at a time…
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Writing Wednesday: Using MOONSHOT as a Mentor Text for Writing
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 By Brian Floca Atheneum, 2009 This narrative nonfiction text tells the story of the Apollo 11 mission from Earth to the moon and back again. It is a very poetic but very informative text of this landmark event in history. It’s not…
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Writing Wednesday: Revision Cards and Mentor Text Videos
Revision cards break the task of revision into manageable chunks. They feature revision suggestions for: * beginnings * description * staying on topic * titles * putting boring words to bed * visualizing * onomatopoeia * sensory words * details * endings * strong verbs * clearing up…
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Writing Wednesday: Use FROG SONG as a Mentor Text for Writing
FROG SONG by Brenda Z. Guiberson illustrated by Gennady Spirin Henry Holt, 2013 Different types of unusual frogs from around the world are brought to life in this book with interesting facts, onomatopoeic frog sounds, and gorgeous paintings. Writing Skills: * Nonfiction writing * Onomatopoeia * Specificity…
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Writing Wednesday: Using MARTIN AND MAHALIA as a Writing Mentor Text
MARTIN AND MAHALIA: HIS WORDS, HER SONG By Andrea Davis Pinkney Illustrated by Brian Pinkney Little, Brown 2013 This book moves me to tears every time I read it. The beauty of the words and the illustrations feel like a song and celebration. The Pinkneys have woven two…
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Writing Wednesday: Using SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY as a Writing Mentor Text
SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY By Jacqueline Briggs Martin Illustrated by Mary Azarian Houghton Mifflin, 1998 I use this book for many things in the classroom. It’s a favorite we return to again and again. It’s a picture book biography of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, who lived on a farm but was…
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Top 10 Posts for 2013
Here are the top 10 posts of 2013 on my blog! Thanks for following, commenting, and sharing this year with me!!! 1. 10 for 10 Mentor Texts for Word Choice 2. What to do about To Do Lists 3. Mentor Text Lesson: OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW by Kate…
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Picture Book Month Day #28: Picture Books as Writing Mentor Texts featuring GIANT DANCE PARTY
GIANT DANCE PARTY by Betsy Bird Illustrated by Brandon Dorman Greenwillow, 2013 Summary: Lexy loves to dance, but when she gets up on stage, she freezes. When she offers to help others with their dancing skills, she doesn’t anticipate that giants will sign up to dance. Mentor…
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Picture Book Month Day #27: Picture Books as Writing Mentor Texts featuring GHOST IN THE HOUSE
GHOST IN THE HOUSE by Ammi-Joan Paquette Illustrated by Adam Record Candlewick, 2013 Summary: When a ghost, a mummy, a skeleton, and a witch all go sneaking through the house, they are most startled by a little human boy. Mentor Text Writing Skills: * Adjectives * Onomatopoeia…
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Picture Book Month Day 23: Picture Books as Writing Mentor Texts Featuring Personal Narratives
All of today’s featured texts can be used as a mentor texts to introduce personal narratives. TED by Tony DiTerlizzi Simon and Schuster, 2001 Summary: One young boy has an imaginary friend named Ted. They get into all kinds of mischief together and his dad is really…
