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NF10for10 2016: Nonfiction Books as Mentor Texts for Writing
This is the first time I’m doing a 10 for 10 post as a librarian instead of a classroom teacher. There are a few differences in this: 1) I’m in a position now where people are asking for book recommendations on a daily basis, and 2) I am in…
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Poetry Mentor Texts: Snoozefest by Samantha Berger
Snoozefest By Samantha Berger Illustrated by Kristyna Litten Dial, 2015 Snoozefest is a delight! Berger had me at the title: Snoozefest! I think the thing that delighted me (and would delight younger readers) is the word combinations. Snoozefest, Nuzzledome, naptacular, even the character’s name, Snuggleford Cuddlebun, play with sleepy…
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Writing Wednesday: Using HERE COME THE HUMPBACKS as a Writing Mentor Text
HERE COME THE HUMPBACKS By April Pulley Sayre Illustrated by Jamie Hogan Charlesbridge, 2013 This nonfiction book about humpback whales combines lyrical first lines on each page, with narrative facts and separate factoids on each page. Beautifully written and chock-full of information that will delight animal lovers, it…
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Mentor Text Spreadsheet: Picture Book Month in Review
Picture Book Month is officially over. But I have created one last thing to share with you on mentor texts. Each day, I shared a mentor text post with you featuring different ways that each of these books could be used to teach writing skills to young…
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Picture Book Month Day 30: Picture Books as Writing Mentor Texts featuring A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS
A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS by Julie Hedlund Illustrated by Pamela Baron Summary: This app is now a print book that includes collective nouns that describe animals. Mentor Text Writing Skills: * Specificity * Vivid Verbs * Adjectives * Alliteration * Word Choice A TROOP IS…
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Picture Book Month Day 29: Picture Books as Writing Mentor Texts featuring MONSTORE
MONSTORE by Tara Lazar Illustrated by James Burks Aladdin, 2013 Summary: Zack needs a monster to keep his sister away from his room, but every monster he buys doesn’t work, and buying more monsters doesn’t work either. He has to find a solution to his monstrosity of a…
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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 4: Picture Books as Writing Mentor Texts Featuring I STINK!
I STINK! by Kate and Jim McMullan Joanna Cotler/HarperCollins, 2002 Summary: The garbage truck speaks in this picture book, telling the reader of his nighttime adventures moving trash in the city. Mentor Text Writing Skills: * Specificity of language * Alliteration * Voice * Point of…
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Picture Book Month Day 2: Picture Books as Writing Mentor Texts Featuring A ZEAL OF ZEBRAS
A ZEAL OF ZEBRAS: AN ALPHABET OF COLLECTIVE NOUNS by Woop Studios Chronicle Books, 2011 Summary: This nonfiction text features a collective noun for every letter of the alphabet. A paragraph featuring interesting facts about each group of animals is also on each page. Mentor Text Writing…
