According to Melissa Surber, NBCT, a misconception often accompanies the idea of mentor texts: to use mentor texts, teachers must add to the curriculum. However, the literature commonly found in our classrooms contains beautiful writing that students can be encouraged to emulate. In this session, teachers will write beside some of our greatest works, brainstorm ways to use famous works of literature to mentor students’ writing, use mentor texts to respond to literature, and consider various assignments that provide students with authentic audiences and opportunities to stretch and hone their skills. Participants will walk away with ready to use resources, hands-on experience using mentor texts to produce writing, and teaching strategies that can be carried directly into the middle or high school classroom.
