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

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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

    • Mentor Sentences for Kindergarten and First Grade
    • Mentor Sentences for Emergent Readers
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    • mentor sentences day threeMentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Time to Revise)
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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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    Recent Posts

    • 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)
    • Mentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Time to Imitate)

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    💡 It's time for a fresh, integrated approach to teaching grammar! 🚀 This free webinar will show you how to transform your ELA lessons using mentor sentences - a proven best practice. Say goodbye to ineffective teaching methods and hello to practical application that really works. Register now: members.ideasbyjivey.com/crash-course-registration-page ... See MoreSee Less

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    🐟Are you a first- or second-grade teacher who teaches about ecosystems and/or animals? 🐸 Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner is SUCH a great book to use for a true ELA-Science integration!! 🐢The unit I created for this one aligns life science (ecosystems, and classifying and describing animals) with shared research, using text and pictures to learn, as well as writing with vivid verbs and prepositions!👉Check it out here: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Over-and-Under-the-Pond-Life-Science-Integration-Mentor-Text-... ... See MoreSee Less

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    📚 I'm excited to be back for another Mentor Text Monday! Today, I'm highlighting The Kindest Red- the sequel to The Proudest Blue by Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad.❤️ This heartwarming book provides excellent lessons on themes and acts of kindness. ❤️ 📖 Amazon affiliate link for the book: amzn.to/3MqEFgx✍️ Thinking about integrating this picture book into your curriculum? Head to my TPT store for the last club unit I created that will help teach students about theme, crafting 5-paragraph essays, spreading kindness, and properly using commas in a series. www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Kindest-Red-Mentor-Text-Unit-for-Grades-3-5-Teaching-Them... ... See MoreSee Less

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    💡 It's time for a fresh, integrated approach to 💡 It's time for a fresh, integrated approach to teaching grammar! 

🚀 This free webinar will show you how to transform your ELA lessons using mentor sentences - a proven best practice. Say goodbye to ineffective teaching methods and hello to practical application that really works. 

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https://members.ideasbyjivey.com/crash-course-registration-page
    🐟Are you a first- or second-grade teacher who t 🐟Are you a first- or second-grade teacher who teaches about ecosystems and/or animals? 🐸 Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner is SUCH a great book to use for a true ELA-Science integration!! 

🐢The unit I created for this one aligns life science (ecosystems, and classifying and describing animals) with shared research, using text and pictures to learn, as well as writing with vivid verbs and prepositions!

👉Check it out at the link in my profile! 

#ideasbyjivey #iteach1st #iteach2nd #mentortext #scienceteacher #2ndgradescience #1stgradescience  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Over-and-Under-the-Pond-Life-Science-Integration-Mentor-Text-Unit-Grades-1-2-9078283
    📚 I'm excited to be back for another #MentorTex 📚 I'm excited to be back for another #MentorTextMonday! Today, I'm highlighting The Kindest Red- the sequel to The Proudest Blue by Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad.

❤️ This heartwarming book provides excellent lessons on themes and acts of kindness. ❤️ 

✍️ Thinking about integrating this #picturebook into your curriculum? Head to my TPT store for the last club unit I created (link in bio) that will help teach students about theme, crafting 5-paragraph essays, spreading kindness, and properly using commas in a series. 

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    📝 Bored of traditional grammar teaching? Your s 📝 Bored of traditional grammar teaching? Your students are too! 

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    😬 Stop the cringe. Start using the fun, resea 😬 Stop the cringe. 

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    🤓Using high-quality sentences from literature t 🤓Using high-quality sentences from literature to illustrate grammar and writing conventions and to serve as examples of effective writing is PROVEN to provide a more engaging and effective learning experience! 

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    🌟Teachers everywhere are seeing just how powerf 🌟Teachers everywhere are seeing just how powerful it is to use mentor sentences for teaching grammar and author's craft!

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    ❓ Did you know I offer a FREE crash course for m ❓ Did you know I offer a FREE crash course for mentor sentences?

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    📚Back for another #MentorTextMonday that celebr 📚Back for another #MentorTextMonday that celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

🌱The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng by Sophia Gholz is a true story about a boy who transforms a barren wasteland into a thriving forest by planting trees on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. 

🌳If you're looking for a way to incorporate this book into your curriculum, check out the unit in my TPT store at the link in my profile! This inspiring #picturebook can be used to teach students about social responsibility and community activism while also covering skills like problem/solution text structure, citing evidence, comparing the book to a firsthand account, vocabulary, and more!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Boy-Who-Grew-a-Forest-Mentor-Text-Digital-Print-Unit-8022666
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