DO YOU HAVE THIS Problem?

Each year you and your colleagues teach grammar and mechanics, yet they still don’t know how to write complete detailed sentences.

Why Should I Use Mentor Sentences?

Research has shown that completing numerous grammar worksheets or editing sentences with mistakes does not transfer to writing. You know this to be true, too. How many times have you said, “I taught it and they STILL don’t do it!”

It’s time for a different approach.

Students need to see great sentences to be able to write great sentences.

Alison Monk ~

You probably have shelves filled with great sentences within the books your students are reading. All you need to do is identify a sentence that has the kinds of words or skills you want to teach. This is known as a mentor sentence.

How To Prepare Mentor Sentences Lessons

Let me give you an example from Ready Freddy! Snow Day Dare:

 

“I can’t go to school without my blue shark mitten,” I explained.

My skill focus this week is using quotation marks. In addition, I can weave several other mini-lessons throughout the week in the context of this authentic literature. This mentor sentence includes: contraction, adjective, common nouns, past tense verb, verb, preposition, and using a comma with quotation marks!  Of course, you can’t bombard your students with all that in one lesson.

The idea behind mentor sentences is to provide short daily mini-lessons using the same sentence for a week. Think of it like a mentor text that you reread through different lenses. Each new mini-lesson provides students with the opportunity to dig deeper into what writers do. Instead of looking at sentences filled with mistakes, students are invited to notice an author’s style, craft, and use of grammar. These lessons do not replace writing workshop, but rather support it.

Here is a typical routine I follow:

Day 1 – Read the Story – We read the story that the sentence will come from. This can be your guided reading book, read-aloud novel, or basal story.

Day 2 –  What Do You Notice? – I show the class the mentor sentences I have selected. The students are asked to write down everything they notice about the words the writer used.  Today is kid-generated, not teacher lead. This is a powerful step because the students are actively processing the information. Plus you will get a great deal of information based on their comments which you can use to guide your future lessons. (10-15 mins)

Day 3 –Focus on a Skill – This is the time when you point out the convention or grammar focus for the week. It is critical that you are explaining while referring to the mentor sentences. Provide each student with a copy of the mentor sentence that they can mark up. I might have them circle in red all the nouns. Underline the subject in green. Box in the past tense verb. I try to focus on this week’s grammar skills and review previously learned terms. (5-10 mins).

Day 4 – Revise it – Revising and editing are important writing skills. For this mini-lesson I have the students add or change words in the mentor sentences.  Lead a discussion about ways the mentor sentences can be made better. Remind the class that authors try out different ways to say something. Revising and adding details can make a good sentence even better! (5-10 mins)

Day 5 – Imitate – Students will create their own sentence. How can they use the mentor sentences as a model in their own writing? This day allows children to experiment with craft and style while writing an original sentence. It is a time to provide encouragement to be creative, take risks, and try to apply what they’ve learned. (5-10 mins).

Here are a few essential things to keep in mind when choosing a mentor sentence:

First, it is more meaningful when it comes from a story the kids are reading.

Second, each lesson is a mini-lesson. Keep it short and focused. It supports other ELA instruction.

Finally, the more you do it, the more they remember. It works!!!

Want to save time and prep work? I’ve created two ready to go Mentor Sentences resources for you!

In this print and use resource you will have everything you need to get started! Teacher materials, lesson plans, student pages, and answer keys! CLICK HERE to PREVIEW