The business of mentor texts, whether fiction or nonfiction,
is analyzing different layers. Even the
funniest fiction can model important elements for writers. As you write your
own stories, do you consider the learning opportunities that your text offers? Whether
it is lap time, naptime, story time, school time, or anytime at all, learning
takes place through underlying themes, messages, information, and modeled
elements.
The end of the school year is near, but you absolutely must
put Adventures to School on your
radar for the beginning of the 2018-19 school year. Understanding our diverse
world starts with exploring different cultures and environments. School is
something kids can relate to in most places. But we don’t all get to school the
same way, not even in the United States. So why not open this discussion as
soon as school starts back up?
There are many unique learning points for Adventures to School, which gives it
lots of layers.
1)
Fiction and Nonfiction Elements
This text is broken into mini
first-person narratives of children from different countries as they journey to
school. Side panels offer information on topics from landforms to
transportation to capitals, families, and school. The combination of both
fiction and nonfiction makes it extra engaging.
2)
Culture and Country Research
While the panels give us an information
head start on some countries, this text is a springboard to additional inquiry
about these and other countries, as well. As an educator, I plan to delve
further into what students learn and do at varied schools and how their days
are structured. I will also encourage students to branch into additional
information about their chosen country, the villages, the climate, or any other
areas that students find interesting. By presenting and sharing finished
projects, students can teach each other about different school experiences
around the world. I will likely strike up Skype connections with several
different classrooms, as well.
3)
Comprehension through Compare and Contrast
Great stories create opportunities to make real-world
connections. A evergreen topic like school will surely allow them to make
connections each time they hear about a different school experience. Are there
similarities to their experience? Are there differences? I will also encourage
students to compare and contrast the illustrations in the book to real photographs. You can find some great comprehension resources on Miranda Paul's teacher resource page.
4)
Rich Vocabulary
There is no shying away from rich vocabulary
in Miranda and Baptiste Paul’s books. This selection features many foreign
language words, as well as contextual English words to grow vocabulary in
unique ways. Check out some of the vocab here.
As you request this story from your library or find it in
book stores, what additional learning opportunities can you identify with this
book? Which mentor text elements stand out to you?
Thinking back to your current work in progress, what
learning opportunities do you offer?
I'd expect no less than a multi-layered deep dive into this fascinating topic from the Pauls. Thanks so much for peeling back these layers to help us explore them further.
ReplyDeleteThis one is heading for our school library. Yay!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the layers of this book's heart.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read it keeping an an eye out for all these layers.
ReplyDeleteI can't access this book yet at my library, so I just went and requested they purchase it! It looks wonderful. I followed the link to the vocab, and I LOVE how big words are used. One of my favorite strategies to build language is to include rich vocabulary. I used to do that all the time with my preschoolers. People were always amazed at the words they knew! Of course, they are language learning kiddos!
ReplyDeleteThese continued ReFoReMo posts have been super for continuing to look at texts critically and for improving craft. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an interesting format. I must look for it. I will re-examine my texts for their learning opportunities. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDelete