Term
Summer 2020
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MALED
Facilitator(s)
Jana Lo Bello Miller and Susan Manikowski
Content Expert
Shannon Dodson
Abstract
The research question addressed in this project was, how can elementary teachers utilize mentor texts in elementary literacy instruction? This project documents how teachers can select mentor texts and utilize them in literacy instruction. The literature review focused on five main topics. These topics were, the definition of mentor texts, selecting mentor texts, role of mentor texts, student engagement with mentor texts, and student achievement with mentor texts. Additionally, research (Bates & Morgan, 2018) was done on creating professional developments. The literature review showed that utilizing mentor texts is a successful way to teach young writers. In addition, it showed that selecting mentor texts include many key parts such as considering interest levels, accessibility, diversity of students, and the writing skill being taught. This capstone project is a multi-session professional development that focuses on how teachers can utilize mentor texts in their own classroom. The professional development sessions include resource sheets with mentor texts for the grade levels K-4. Additionally, it includes teaching videos of a teacher utilizing mentor texts. Finally, it includes a checklist to use when selecting mentor texts. The project is important to the capstone question because utilizing mentor texts helps create a positive literacy experience for students. This research should be shared so teachers can utilize mentor texts in their own classrooms.
Keywords
Literacy, Staff Development, Writing, Engagement
Recommended Citation
Duellman, Allie, "Utilizing Mentor Texts in Elementary Literacy Instruction" (2020). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 505.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/505
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects