Micro Mentor Texts: Using Short Passages From Great Books to Teach Writer’s Craft($19.62Value)

Description

At a time when students’ attention is being pulled in many directions, writing expert Penny Kittle shows us the power of helping them to focus in and communicate clearly. She does that through the study of “micro mentor texts,” excerpts from acclaimed books, and the decisions authors make to craft those texts so they deeply engage readers. Her book includes dozens of short texts and mini-lessons based on them―as well as many practice opportunities for students and demonstration videos for you. With exuberance and a genuine fondness for writing and young writers, Kittle models a method of teaching writing to middle and high school students in public schools that could easily be adapted for homeschoolers or older audiences. Drawing example passages from fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, the author sets up exercises and practical advice on engaging students where they are. Each chapter is divided into an explanation of the literary device to be examined (dialogue, scenes, voice, etc.) and a sample text where readers are encouraged to find their own observations before turning to Kittle's analytical collection of thoughts. The author also models a writing journal practice that will delight students and result in a rich resource for years to come. A list of featured authors and books starts the text, and back matter includes references and an index. VERDICT Well organized, and with a great balance of broadness and depth, this is a great resource for any school library or professional development collection.—Chrystopher Lytal “In this masterful volume, Penny Kittle shows us how to use short passages to illuminate critical elements of writing. Teaching writing and learning to write can be difficult, but she offers a way for educators and students to find success and appreciate the craft of established authors, while becoming strong writers themselves.” — ERNEST MORRELL, Coyle Professor in Literacy Education, University of Notre Dame, and coauthor of Every Child a Super Reader, Second Edition Experienced and early-career educators alike will welcome Penny Kittle’s gentle wisdom and clear guidance. Her approach to the art of teaching young people to recognize beautiful writing and become beautiful writers themselves is a gift to us all.” — JULIA TORRES, literacy educator, librarian, and coauthor of Liven Up Your Library: Design Engaging and Inclusive Programs for Tweens and Teens “With her vast experience and gentle guidance, Penny Kittle enters the stories that surround us, handing us this roadmap to venture into those stories and experience them deeply. She is the wise colleague every teacher hopes to have, and this book is a must-discover resource for encouraging flexible, imaginative writers.” — PERNILLE RIPP, teacher educator and author of Passionate Readers: The Art of Reaching and Engaging Every Child and Passionate Learners: How to Engage and Empower Your Students “My shelves are filled with so many books about writing. None of them is as valuable as this one is to me, and will be to you. There is no other book like it. Penny’s choices of micro mentor texts, coupled with her ability to mine them for teachable techniques, will help your students write with clarity, intention, voice, and confidence. Do not lend this book to anyone. You will not get it back.” — LINDA RIEF, former eighth-grade teacher and author of Whispering in the Wind: A Guide to Deeper Reading and Writing Through Poetry “This is the book I wish I’d had as a classroom teacher—I LOVE it! Organized in a simple-yet powerful way, packed with gorgeous mentor passages by diverse authors, and grounded in Kittle’s contagious love of learning and language, this book is an inspiring gift for young writers and their teachers alike.” —BRENDAN KIELY, coauthor of All American Boys “Reading this book is like having Penny coach you through a text and show you how to teach it skillfully. You’ll notice immediately the mastery of her skill and the warmth in her words. This is a wonderful guide for teachers who use—or want to use—mentor texts as the foundation of their literacy instruction.” — TAN HUYNH, secondary language specialist and host of the Teaching MLs podcast and blog “ Micro Mentor Texts comes from a giant in the world of writing pedagogy, Penny Kittle. Her mentorship in this book offers a step-by-step guide for helping students become better writers. You’ll find yourself reaching for a pen so you can begin your own journey of writing and then rushing into a classroom to help students do the same.” — KYLENE BEERS, author, educator, and past president of the National Council of Teachers of English “Don’t miss Micro Mentor Texts . In lively, engaging prose, Penny Kittle unpacks 100+ brief texts, and lays bare the craft moves that make them tick. She is a masterful teacher, and Micro Mentor Texts is an essential book for all writing teachers.” — RALPH FLETCHER, author of Focus Lessons: How Photography Enhances the T