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    Mastering Mentor Sentences

    Teaching Grammar that Supports the Science of Reading

    February 12, 2023

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    When the research behind the science of reading fundamentally changed the way teachers delivered their literacy instruction, teaching grammar was certainly not at the forefront of anyone’s mind. The biggest shift in teaching (especially in the upper grades) occurred with phonics instruction. However, it’s essential to look at all of the strands of language comprehension, too (not just word recognition), as Dr. Scarborough suggests with her reading rope model. Your students cannot become skilled readers if a single strand is weak.

    Teaching Grammar With Mentor Sentences

    Grammar IS an important aspect of supporting the science of reading. A strong grasp of grammar helps students understand the structure of language and how sentences are put together. Showing students how grammar is used in context (the way it’s done with mentor sentences) helps students see the relevance of grammar to reading and writing.

    integrate grammar into context of reading and writing science of reading

    To teach grammar aligned with the science of reading, it’s important to integrate grammar instruction into the broader context of reading and writing instruction, which is precisely what the mentor sentence routine does!

    Traditionally, grammar has been taught in isolation and only focused on defining grammar rules and correcting errors. This approach does not support grammar’s relationship with meaning.

    Mentor sentences, on the other hand, integrate grammar with reading and writing instruction and allow students the opportunity to analyze the relationships among words, phrases, and clauses at the sentence level. Students develop an understanding of grammatical rules (syntax) and the strategic use of words and phrases to carry meaning (semantics) through the mentor sentence routine.

    Examples provided in the research surrounding the science of reading suggest using reading and writing activities to give students opportunities to apply grammar concepts and to see the role of grammar in making meaning. Some suggestions include having students identify and underline the nouns and verbs in a sentence they read or writing sentences that include a specific grammar concept they are learning. Mentor sentences routinely incorporate all of these ideas.

    science of reading apply grammar

    It’s also important to note that the science of reading recognizes the significance of oral language development in supporting reading and writing. The conversations and discussions surrounding grammar and language during the mentor sentence routine help them build their oral language skills AND develop their understanding of grammar.

    grammar conversations science of reading

    Mentor Sentences and Language Comprehension

    Breaking down “Language Comprehension” on Scarborough’s Reading Rope, it’s easy to see how mentor sentences support all five strands that must be mastered in order to build a strong reader.mentor sentence science of reading graphic

    Background Knowledge

    As teachers, we know understanding different subjects, topics, and ideas can help students better understand what they’re reading. The books used as mentor texts are strategically chosen to provide students with connections to other subject matter as well as build vocabulary, too.

    Vocabulary Knowledge

    Mentor sentences help students understand the functions of words, as well as see the relationships between them. By teaching students the meanings of “grammar words” such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives, they are better equipped to understand the structure of sentences and the relationships between words.

    Language Structures (aka Syntax)

    Mentor sentences help students understand how words are organized in logical and meaningful sentences. If students don’t understand how to refer to a noun used in a previous sentence using a pronoun, for instance, they won’t be able to comprehend complex texts. Developing knowledge of language structures strengthens the ability to comprehend text.

    To develop syntax using mentor sentences, students examine how sentences are built, learn to expand sentences, and even how to imitate the author’s sentence structure and craft. Teaching students how to construct different types of sentences, such as simple, compound, and complex, also helps students understand how words and phrases are combined to form coherent sentences when reading.

    Verbal Reasoning (aka Semantics)

    Mentor sentences help students develop a knowledge of language, and even allow them to alter the meanings of words and phrases. Students need support with complex text structures and word choice. Exposing students to just ONE sentence that contains figurative language or low-frequency words helps them learn how to read increasingly complex texts successfully, and in turn, learn how to manipulate and imitate complex sentence structure in writing as well.

    Literacy Knowledge

    The books chosen for mentor sentence lessons expose students to a variety of genres, word choice, and craft. Some upper grades teachers hesitate to use picture books for their lessons… but along with a whole laundry list of reasons why they are perfect for your students, the most important here would be that students are exposed to a variety of genres and styles, which develops students’ literacy skills.

    How to Begin the Mentor Sentence Routine

    Not using mentor sentences in your classroom? I’d love to help you get started!

    mentor sentences routine days

    Head to this post to read more about them, and download a free week to try them out for yourself.

    Or- join the free training!

     

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    by Jessica Ivey 

    About Jessica Ivey

    View all posts by Jessica Ivey

    Related Posts

    • Getting Started With Mentor Sentences
    • mentor sentences day twoMentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Parts of Speech)
    • mentor sentences day fiveMentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Assessment)
    • Content Integration with Mentor Texts {Freebie Included!}
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    Welcome!

    Welcome!

    Hi, I'm Jessica, also affectionately known as Jivey! I am passionate about making literacy accessible for all students using research-based strategies. Students learn best through content integration and in-context skills, and my goal is to help you deliver your instruction with these best practices!

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    • Teaching Grammar that Supports the Science of Reading
    • Teaching Text Structure With Picture Books
    • Planning a Language Arts Schedule (How To Fit It All In!)
    • Mentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Assessment)
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    Ideas By Jivey

    22 hours ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    When do YOU teach grammar? 🤓📓If you're using the mentor sentence routine, I suggest beginning your writing time with it! You want grammar and language to be directly connected to their writing.This also helps get students into a writing frame of mind, and often gives them a purpose for writing that day! ✏️Read more about the mentor sentences routine here: www.ideasbyjivey.com/routine ... See MoreSee Less

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    Ideas By Jivey

    2 days ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    📚 Boost your students' reading and writing skills by integrating mentor texts all year long! Check out this post for tips on how to use mentor texts to enhance your lesson plans and engage your students, plus grab a freebie for one of my favorite books! ... See MoreSee Less

    Why I Love Using Mentor Texts All Year (And You Should, Too!)

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    Jivey shares ideas and lessons to make literacy accessible for all.
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    Ideas By Jivey

    4 days ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    🔍Research has proven that vocabulary words must be presented in context for proper comprehension.📖That means... throw out the word lists for kids to look up in a dictionary and memorize the definition!!!📚Picture books are vital – yes, even in the upper grades – to allow students to use the images to help with context and infer the meaning of words. One way to present vocabulary words effectively is to teach through texts you are already using for other lessons!😍You can find over 150 weeks' worth of contextual vocabulary activities just like these in the All-Access Mentor Text Membership: members.ideasbyjivey.com/all-access ... See MoreSee Less

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    When do YOU teach grammar? 🤓 📓If you're usi When do YOU teach grammar? 🤓

📓If you're using the #mentorsentences routine, I suggest beginning your writing time with it! You want grammar and language to be directly connected to their writing.

This also helps get students into a writing frame of mind, and often gives them a purpose for writing that day! ✏️

Read more about the mentor sentences routine at the link in my profile!

#ideasbyjivey #mentortexts #teacherspayteachers #upperelementary #grammarteacher

https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/routine
    🔍Research has proven that #vocabulary words mus 🔍Research has proven that #vocabulary words must be presented in context for proper comprehension.

📖That means... throw out the word lists for kids to look up in a dictionary and memorize the definition!!!

📚Picture books are vital – yes, even in the upper grades – to allow students to use the images to help with context and infer the meaning of words. One way to present vocabulary words effectively is to teach through texts you are already using for other lessons!

😍You can find over 150 weeks' worth of contextual vocabulary activities just like these in the All-Access Mentor Text Membership- link in profile!!

#ideasbyjivey #upperelementary #mentortexts #teachingvocabulary #teachersfollowteachers #iteach345 

https://members.ideasbyjivey.com/all-access
    🍀What book are you reading this week for St. Pa 🍀What book are you reading this week for St. Patrick's Day?

Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman is a fun one!

Need some last-minute activities?

You can find an entire unit for this #mentortext in Ideas by Jivey's All-Access Mentor Text Membership, as well as on TPT (link in profile)!

#stpatricksdayintheclassroom #ideasbyjivey
#mentorsentences #upperelementary
#teachersfollowteachers #teacherspayteachers
#iteach345

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fionas-Luck-St-Patricks-Day-Mentor-Text-Digital-Print-Leprechaun-Book-Unit-7821146
    I LOVE reading #fabulousfeedback from you all! 🤩 This one makes me especially happy because I know committing to a new routine like mentor sentences is a mindset shift, but I always hear such positive results once teachers do! ❤

Check out #mentorsentences on my website or my TPT store! www.ideasbyjivey.com

#ideasbyjivey #iteach #iteachtoo #mentortexts #grammarteacher #elementaryela #teacherspayteachers #teachersfollowteachers
    🍀🌈💰For today's #mentortextmonday, let's g 🍀🌈💰For today's #mentortextmonday, let's get excited for St. Patrick's Day this week! 

I have the perfect #picturebook: 🍀Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman. It's an original folktale with a little girl power mixed in!

Get the resource I've created for it and you'll have: 
🍀a mentor sentence lesson for the book

🍀an interactive notebook activity to review/teach figurative and literal language

🍀six reading ideas suggested with three activities provided: citing evidence, character analysis, and defining using context clues

🍀one writing idea suggested with a writing prompt given

🍀contextual vocabulary activities

🍀science integration - design a leprechaun trap with simple machines

You can find this unit in Ideas by Jivey's All-Access Mentor Text Membership, as well as on TPT (link in profile)! 

#stpatricksdayintheclassroom #ideasbyjivey #mentortext #mentorsentences #upperelementary #teachersfollowteachers #teacherspayteachers #iteach345

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fionas-Luck-St-Patricks-Day-Mentor-Text-Digital-Print-Leprechaun-Book-Unit-7821146
    🤔 So what's so special about using #mentorsente 🤔 So what's so special about using #mentorsentences instead of lectures and worksheets?

💡Engagement in the daily class discussions around language is what will give many students a “lightbulb moment” and help those skills transfer to writing. 

Holding these high-level conversations are when the students are going to learn the MOST. 🥳

Read more at the link in my profile! 

#ideasbyjivey #teachersfollowteachers #iteach345 #mentortexts #upperelementaryteacher #grammarteacher 

https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/routine
    🍀Looking for the perfect book to use for St. Pa 🍀Looking for the perfect book to use for St. Patrick's Day?

I have the one! 🍀Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman is an original folktale with some girl power mixed in, too!

With the resource I've created, you'll get contextual vocabulary activities PLUS a mentor sentence lesson, reading activities, a writing prompt, and a stem tie-in!

You can find this unit in Ideas by Jivey's All-Access
Mentor Text Membership, as well as on TPT (link in
profile)!

#stpatricksdayintheclassroom #ideasbyjivey
#mentortext #mentorsentences #upperelementary
#teachersfollowteachers #teacherspayteachers
#iteach345

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fionas-
Luck-St-Patricks-Day-Mentor-Text-Digital-Print-Leprech
aun-Book-Unit-7821146
    🌈What book are you using for St. Patrick's Day? 🌈What book are you using for St. Patrick's Day?

🍀Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman is a great one full of figurative language!

Get this mentor sentence, plus reading, writing, vocabulary, and STEM tie-in at the link in my profile! 

You can also find this unit in Ideas by Jivey's All-Access Mentor Text Membership! 

#stpatricksdayintheclassroom #ideasbyjivey #mentortext #mentorsentences #upperelementary #teachersfollowteachers #teacherspayteachers #iteach345 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fionas-Luck-St-Patricks-Day-Mentor-Text-Digital-Print-Leprechaun-Book-Unit-7821146
    ✨ Come take the free #mentorsentences training! ✨ Come take the free #mentorsentences training! ✨ 
For K-2 and 3-5! Link in profile! 

members.ideasbyjivey.com/crash-course-registration-page
#ideasbyjivey #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers
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