One tool I can’t live without as a writing teacher is….mentor texts! You may have seen my FREE list of mentor text suggestions for teaching writing. If not, download it here! Mentor texts are a MUST for your upper elementary and middle grade classroom. (If you need some convincing of that, see this post: Teaching Writing with Mentor Texts: 5 Benefits You Can't Ignore.)
But where can you find quality mentor texts on a budget (aside from typical bookstores and online retailers)? In this post, you’ll find a variety of sources, both in print and online. Here's a list of places where you can discover mentor texts to use today:
10 places you may not have looked to find writing mentor texts:
1. School and Classroom Libraries: Start by checking your school's library and your classroom library for a selection of books across genres and writing styles.
2. Local Public Libraries: Public libraries have a vast collection of children's books and can be a great FREE resource for finding mentor texts.
3. Online Libraries, Apps, and Databases:
- Epic!: An online library collection of eBooks, including many mentor texts.
- OverDrive: Offers access to digital books through local libraries.
- Project Gutenberg: Provides access to classic literature that can serve as mentor texts.
- Google Books: Offers previews of books that are suitable to use as mentor texts.
4. Educational Websites: Websites like ReadWriteThink and Scholastic provide lesson plans and lists of mentor texts for various writing purposes.
5. Book Fairs: School book fairs are a fantastic place to find current, popular books for kids. Many even allow you to set up a class wish-list or use points to purchase classroom texts.
6. Literary Magazines for Children: Magazines like Highlights for Children and Cricket often feature stories and articles that can serve as mentor texts.
7. Teacher Resource Websites:
- Websites such as Teachers Pay Teachers offer resources created by educators, including lists of mentor texts and related activities.
- The National Writing Project's website provides a database of mentor texts and teaching ideas.
8. Children's Book Awards and Lists
- Explore award-winning books such as Newbery and Caldecott Medal winners.
- ALA's Notable Children's Books list and the Children's Book Council are also good resources for book recommendations.
9. Literacy Organizations and Associations: Check the websites of organizations like the International Literacy Association (ILA) for recommended reading lists and resources.
10. Social Media: Explore teacher communities on platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, where educators often share their favorite mentor texts and teaching ideas.
Are any of these suggestions surprising to you? Have any other ideas? Let me know below and I'll add it to my list!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics, or posts made in this blog.
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