Did you know…?

In 1936, the National Council of Teachers of English found that formal teaching of grammar and mechanics had little effect on student writing. That means, for over 80 years, we’ve known grammar workbooks, lectures, and memorizing rules does NOT work… yet, for many teachers, that is the “go-to” way for teaching grammar and language!

Research over the years has shown that teaching grammar in context in quick spurts over longer periods of time (rather than drill and kill lessons for a couple of weeks) is the best way to actually make a difference in students’ understanding of grammar and language, and helps them to apply it to writing.

How to get it done:

Implement the mentor sentences routine! Mentor sentences are going to help students talk deeply about grammar and writing, reveal the importance of using concrete words/phrases and sensory details, write a variety of types of sentences, demonstrate a command of conventions, learn the way a sentence “should” look, and apply style, conventions, and mechanics skills to their own writing.

If you are ready to stop teaching grammar the same old boring way, and actually see a transfer into reading and writing, this course is for you! What’s included?

What’s in each module?

? Module 1: Jump The Routine
5 video lessons that model the routine with a practice lesson you can use in your own classroom, too.

? Module 2: Introduction to Mentor Sentences
Learn the “why” of using mentor sentences and how it helps with higher-order thinking skills, see the data that proves it works, and download planning resources and an actionable lesson to help you lead those deep discussions around language.

? Module 3: Why Should I Teach Using Mentor Texts?
You’ll understand the benefits of using mentor texts to maximize your teaching time, and learn how to plan multiple subjects using one book!

? Module 4: How To Teach With Mentor Texts
Watch multiple videos to learn how to teach with mentor texts and see models of integration of specific mentor texts with a variety of skills, plus download more planning resources.

? Module 5: Overview of the Routine
See the big picture of the mentor sentence routine and get ideas for student notebooks.

? Module 6: Time to Notice and Focus on Parts of Speech
Zoom in on day one and two in a video lesson which also includes a classroom model, download prompts to use to help promote discussion, and work through some practice exercises.

? Module 7: Time to Revise
Zoom in on day three in a video lesson which also includes a classroom model, download resources to help students understand editing vs. revising, and work through some practice exercises.

? Module 8: Time to Imitate and Assess
Zoom in on day four and five in a video lesson which also includes a classroom model, download a template to help you plan your own mentor sentence lessons, and work through some practice exercises.

? Module 9: Beyond Your Mentor Sentence Lessons
Learn how to make sure skills from mentor sentences are sticking in writing time with specific teaching ideas (video lesson), and ideas for more application – time to compare, collect, and combine. You’ll also have some practice exercises you can complete.

? JUST ADDED: Teaching Virtually with Mentor Sentences
Get guidance on how to use mentor sentences and downloads to use if you aren’t face-to-face in the classroom.

? Module 10: Additional Video Resources
Watch mentor sentence lessons in action in the classroom.

? BONUSES
Get discounted curriculum bundles (exclusive discounts for course members only), download your free mini-unit, and learn how to join the Facebook group to get more one-on-one support!

? Certificate of Completion

Course Curriculum