Hello Sweet Friends!
There are only 5 more topics to cover in the “Diggin In” series! The only good news here is that there’s a HUGE, I mean H-U-G-E giveaway coming! Like, so huge, I wish I could enter it myself. Unfortunately, I can’t – which, fortunately for YOU means more chances to win BIG, so you’re definitely going to want to stay tuned!
Today, I’m digging into writing! Actually, I’m going to be sharing some of my FAVORITE mentor texts to help launch writing!
Writing is one of those things that is so varied, and is such a broad topic! Also, depending on what curriculum your district or school uses, can be sort of cumbersome to even try and explain. That being said, I thought I’d share my favorite mentor texts that will help launch writer’s workshop or writing in general! These mentor texts can be used with ANY curriculum, which is one of the reasons I love them so much! Plus, my kiddos love them from year to year, even though I’ve taught second and fourth grade!
The books that I’m sharing really focus around getting students to WRITE! Generating ideas of what to write about is probably one of the hardest parts about writing. While I’m launching writer’s workshop (which is usually the first 2-4 weeks of school), the focus is narratives and generating ideas. These books are almost all personal narratives, and help in showing students that ideas are all around. Depending on your grade level standards, you can use these again for other mini-lessons.
The books are in no particular order. Clicking on the cover of the book will take you to Amazon where you can read blurbs and reviews of each book, and order should you think that you’d be able to use it.
Onto the books!
I’d love to know what books you use when launching writer’s workshop in the comments section!
As always, check out these other bloggers and what they have to say about writing!
I use most of the same books. I also use Amazing Grace. I love anything by Patricia Polacco and Cynthia Rylant.
I use picture books all year for various writing prompts. Some of my favorites were Bully by Patricia Polacco, Scarecrow and In November by Cynthia Rylant, Brave Irene by William Steig, and Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan. I used to do a weekly linking for Six Traits Writing, and these were some I highlighted at various times. Great topic!