I love books. I love fiction books, nonfiction books, chapter books, and picture books. That’s one of the reasons I love incorporating mentor texts into my reading and writing workshop lessons. I use mentor texts to model thinking strategies, as examples of quality writing, to engage students in a class discussion, and as springboards into reading and writing activities. Many of the lessons in my 3rd-5th Grade Reading Workshop Bundle include a mentor text.

I keep my mentor texts in plastic storage bins out of reach from students. I like to store them separately, because when they intermingle with my other books, they have tendency to disappear the day I need them.

I keep a printout of all of the mentor texts in the tub, so I can easily reference what books I’ll be using.

When I first started using mentor texts, I felt that I had to read a new book for every single lesson. It took me awhile to realize that it’s perfectly fine to read or refer to the same book multiple times. I’ve certainly read some of my favorite books more than once {just ask me about Outlander}. If we’re short on time and I really don’t have time to read a book, I may just refer to a book that we’ve recently read together.  This allows us to still have a literature reference and saves us about ten minutes.

What About Reading Levels

Another question or concern about mentor texts is the reading level of the book. I try not to worry too much about the reading level of a mentor text when selecting a book for my class. Instead, I focus more on how the book reflects a particular element and my students’ engagement with the book. Many years ago, I went to a Fountas and Pinnell conference, and one read A Memory Strand by Eve Bunting to the audience. Every single attendee of the conference was enchanted by the book. There were hundreds of silent teachers and few dry eyes be the end of the book. That book wasn’t on our reading level, but we were still able to connect with the book and learn from the book. I want the books I select to fully engage my students. I try to choose books that have a little substance or meat to them, which allows for better class discussions.

Can I Substitute Mentor Texts

I have many teachers ask if they can substitute the texts for a picture book of their choice, and the answer is definitely, YES!! All of the graphic organizers are questions were written so that they can be used with any book. In fact, unless it’s a book near and dear to my heart, I substitute almost all of the nonfiction books. I like using texts that align to what I’m teaching in either social studies or science. Sometimes if I see a golden opportunity, I also integrate with character education. Since every state has its own social studies and science standards, and within each state each district has its own pacing guide and curriculum map, it’s impossible for me to create an all-inclusive integrated list for social studies and science.

I typically use the fiction books listed in the units, but every now and then I do make a change. Sometimes I substitute the text if the majority of my class has already read the book, or if I feel that the book isn’t the right fit for my class. I’ve included a few ideas of mentor texts you can substitute for the books within the unit. The lists below include alternatives to some of the books from Unit 1 (visualizing connections, and inferring) and Unit 2 (characters, setting, and plot). If you don’t see your favorites listed, that’s probably because they’re already included in the reading units! If you find this useful, I can do the same thing for units 3-6! Links to all of the books are included below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also like to incorporate season books if possible. I realize that I teach older students, but my kiddos are still young enough to be excited about holidays. Goodness, I’m 34 {ouch} and I still love holiday activities, so I don’t think students are ever too cool….even though they may try and act like it.

Links to All Mentor Texts

Albert

Canoe Days

Circus Ship

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Creepy Carrots

Hallowilloween

If You’re Not From the Prairie

Fig Pudding

Goggles

Halloween

Mr. George Baker

Nettie’s Trip South

Page by Paige

Pete and Pickles

Shortcut

Silver Seeds

Someday

Sophie’s Masterpiece

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt

The Black Rabbit

The Can Man

The Gardener

The Night I Followed the Dog

The Potato Chip Champ

The Princess and the Pig

The Relatives Came

The Spider and the Fly

The Storm Book