Biography mentor texts for middle school students
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Living literature isn’t just for reading but also for teaching writing styles! Serious writing lessons don’t start in our homeschool until middle and high school, but believe it or not, I often use picture books to help me teach.
Since picture books can be read in one sitting, they are perfect examples of good writing from master writers. Of course, you must ensure you’re reading books written by master writers (not twaddle.) And that’s what I’ve set out to share with you in this series – books perfect for teaching various writing styles!
This article focuses on writing biographies. Wait, did I hear a “Yuck!”? If your children are reading this, I’m pretty sure I heard several of them! Historically, biographies are not very fun to read—and definitely not fun to write.
The word “boring” comes to mind when I think about reading most biographies. The words “research” and “bibliography” com
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In the classroom, inom found that mentor sentences and mentor texts provided opportunities for student writers to amaze themselves and tackle many forms of writing with confidence. Now, as an author, inom analyze mentor texts for my own learning. Thank you, Annette Whipple for this brev for educators on using your nonfiction series in the classroom as mentor texts!
GIVEAWAY! Annette is offering one lucky winner the choice of one of her books in THE TRUTH ABOUT… series! Leave a comment below for a chance to win!
Nonfiction Mentor Texts for the Classroom by Annette Whipple
When inom was a teacher, my students (and I) relied heavily on other writing to better understand how to structure and craft their writing. These models to study are often called mentor texts. In the classroom, mentor texts come from teachers, curriculum, other students, as well as published books, articles, and poems.
Often writers use mentor texts without even knowing the term. inom st
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Picture Book Biographies for the Middle Grades
By Christina Dorr
What’s one of the best ways to introduce students to a new science concept, a historical era, or a math formula? How about a new artistic style, musical instrument, or famous writer? A picture book biography, of course!
Today’s titles are a mixture of engaging, informative stories combined with full color, action-packed illustrations. Use them as read aloud’s, for small group instruction, or individual student motivation. And they work well in the middle grades.
Many picture books written over the last decade or so have been created with the older student in mind. More sophisticated and complex topics, higher vocabulary, and more intricate illustrations are hallmarks of these books.
And students are never too old to be read to! Group readings of these books spark conversation, relay information, and make abstract concepts more tangible.
And They’re Standards Friendly
It’s easy to pair picture bo