Teaching Grammar Using Mentor Texts

Mentor texts are one of my favorite tools to use in the classroom and I love using them to teach grammar.

To me, grammar is just one of those subjects that needs some spicing up. It’s kind of like mashed potatoes without any salt. Sure, it’s functional, but it’s so much better when you take a bit of time to jazz it up.

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In this post, I wanted to share some fun books to motivate your kids, while reinforcing those pesky parts of speech.

When I use these mentor texts, I like to do them in several different ways:

1. Read a Page or Two and Kids List the Part of Speech You are Featuring

This is so simple to do but it really trains kids to use their ears for a purpose!

2. Give the Kids a Signal to Do When They Hear the Highlighted Part of Speech

This signal could be as simple as raising your hand, doing a peace sign, touching your nose, putting your hands on your head, making a “V” with your arms if you hear a verb (or any other first letter for that part of speech). They can also clap or snap (tell the kids who can’t, to just fake it!), or stomp once, or stand up and then sit down… The possibilities are endless.

3. For Older Kids: Use Whiteboards to Make a List of Words You Hear

My classes have always loved competition and really get into it, no matter what the prize is (or even if there isn’t a prize). At the end of the book, they love to see who has the longest list.

Here are some great books that you can share with your students as an introduction to some parts of speech or as a review:

Nouns

Here’s where you can grab NOUN mentor texts:

Verbs

Here’s where you can grab VERB mentor texts:

Adjectives

Here’s where you can grab ADJECTIVE mentor texts:

Conjunctions

Here’s where you can grab CONJUNCTIONS mentor texts:

Prepositions

Here’s where you can grab PREPOSITIONS mentor texts:

Adverbs

Here’s where you can grab ADVERBS mentor texts:

Wow! That’s a ton of mentor texts! You should be set for the school year! Need more grammar posts? Check these out!

In another grammar post, Using Games to Teach Parts of Speech, I listed some class games (totally free and lots of fun) that I like to use when teaching parts of speech.

In 8 Ways to Make Grammar Fun, I described some really fun activities to turn students from grammar haters into grammar lovers!

Need some new grammar resources?

I really love using these print and digital Grammar Games Bundles! There’s a grammar game for EVERY STANDARD! The bundles have a variety of game formats to keep your students engaged! Click here to see 3rd grade, 4th grade, or 5th grade Grammar Games.

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th grade

What do you do to spice up your grammar lessons? I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Read more about: Mentor Texts, Writing & Grammar

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