I wanted to take a moment to share some “go-to” resources I’ve used in the past when I am in need of inspiration for new/compelling mentor texts. Below you will find an incomplete list of blogs that might propel student writing beyond the classroom and generate some more enthusiasm for reading.
Now, I’ve developed a multi-layer lesson I am working on with my students this semester to transform their conversations about books into published pieces, but feel free to use the list as a source for potential mentor texts in your own classroom. My next post will be on podcasts: Where to go, How I use them and ideas I have for the classroom.
Objective: Students are exposed to a community of readers and writers that publish regularly and flourish by sharing ideas with the world. Empowering students to publish their writing right now while analyzing the way author’s discuss novels and the writer’s craft. Students will publish their own post on a book(s) they would like to share with the world.
Links to blogs:
- This is a great place to find reviews for the books that are popular right now with our students. The link below will take you to her review of Erika Sanchez’ book, I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. You can talk to students about organization and style techniques used by the blogger to keep readers engaged.
- Brain pickings is one of my favorites! So many thought provoking articles and posts that could jump start any lesson on reading or writing. The link below will take you to a post written by the author, Neil Gaimen, on why reading is crucial to propelling human development.
https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/08/03/neil-gaiman-view-from-the-cheap-seats-reading/
- The Nerdy Book Club is a community of readers who write about books for children and young adults. The link below will take you to a review of Matt Del La Pena’s picture book, Love.
- Looking for poetry? Check out The New Yorker’s “Page Turner” blog post on the poems that shaped 2017
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2017-in-review/our-year-in-poems
If you have any mentor text resources you use as inspiration or have ideas for using blogs in your classroom, please leave me a comment below.
Happy Reading!