Ways to Improve Writing Through Mentor Sentences

Writing just might be the most difficult academic subject to teach. When done well, it looks completely effortless.  You and I know different though. By helping our students learn the power of words, we’re giving them tools for reading, writing and thinking that will last a lifetime.

Why show students the wrong way to do something, when you can show them the right way? That’s why properly written, model sentences from novels and other texts, can help students learn great writing skills! These are mentor sentences. Here are some ways to improve writing through mentor sentences.

Use the same mentor sentence throughout the week.

Using the same sentence each day requires students to search for meaning without being distracted by novelty. Students are able to dig deep and discover aspects of writing they can apply to their own work. My mentor sentences for middle school bundle comes with sentences to use every day.

To start, each day will have a different task. First, “Monday Musings” help students notice the sentence and how it’s written. Next, “Teacher Tuesdays” is about learning the grammar skills and labeling. “Work on it Wednesday” is  then focusing on improving the original, mentor sentence through figurative language and word choice. “Thinking Thursday” also lets your students write their own original sentences with the same pattern and sentence structure as the mentor text. “Final Friday” is all about assessment! The mentor sentences for middle school bundle makes this easy with ready-to-go activities and reminders each day.

Teach and review skills through correctly written mentor sentences.

Mentor sentences are always written correctly.  Instead of the typical editing exercise in which students note what is wrong with a sentence, a well-written mentor sentence allows students to observe what the sentence does well.  Students use mentor sentences to improve grammar, punctuation, usage, and style. Model different types of sentences such as complex, simple, and compound sentences through the mentor sentences for middle school bundle.

Use mentor sentences to teach the writing process.

While a mentor sentence is without errors, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. As part of the weekly routine, students make changes within the mentor sentence that improve it in some way. A student might simply change a word or the whole sentence structure. This helps students practice flexibility and understand that there are lots of ways to express the same thought. I love that the mentor sentences for middle school bundle includes “Thinking Thursday” and other ways to create their own sentences!

Get to deeper depth of knowledge levels with mentor sentences.

Through discussion and analysis, students learn how to apply the concepts presented, including grammar, style and mechanics. Through these daily exercises, students build their knowledge of language. Scaffolding enables students of varying backgrounds and abilities to be successful in following the learning routines and increasing their competency in writing. There are so many ways to differentiate instruction in the mentor sentences for middle school bundle.

Think aloud with mentor sentences.

Many students think, based on prior experience, that learning is demonstrated by appropriately plugging in facts. The transfer you’re trying to achieve through the use of mentor sentences, however, requires students to use judgement rather than simply regurgitate information. Enter the think-aloud. This is all about metacognition or thinking about thinking! This strategy of demonstration and modeling enables the learner to intentionally observe aspects of thought and application.

While following along with the instructor’s think-aloud, the learner will become more aware of his or her own connections to the content.  This is an excellent time to require students to rephrase or reword what they’re learning. Rehearsal, including written and oral, is an aid to long-term memory. Practicing their own think-aloud with a partner demands competent articulation.

Make self-assessment and reflection a part of mentor sentence instruction.

Also, frequent self-assessment should be part of the routine. Indeed, grading the process of self-assessment rather than the end product will encourage the student to be more intentional and genuine in self-reflection. Over time, the mentor sentence routine will help students improve their abilities to use language to express themselves. Students love using ELA notebooks to reflect as part of the mentor sentences for middle school bundle.

Improving writing through mentor sentences shouldn’t be a daunting task. These simple made mentor sentences activities are perfect for all grades!