Using A Tree is a Plant as a Mentor Text

I love selecting mentor texts for skill modeling whether it's for reading, writing, or to use reading skills in content areas.  In this post we will be focusing on mentor texts for science.  The book I am highlighting is...

Why use this book?

I have used this book several times to support my second grade students' science studies.  For many of my students, it helps to have a second or third exposure to key concepts they're learning.  This book includes nonfiction features, a target skill for second grade. It also would work well if students are researching plants.  Many options are available in the unit I'm sharing. It includes

🌲A Prereading Schema building

🌲Vocabulary

🌲Main idea and detail

🌲Summarizing

🌲Visualizing

🌲Notetaking

🌲and Many Response to Reading Writing activities

About the author:

Clyde Bulla is a well established author, and his books typically work well for students who struggle since he controls the vocabulary somewhat. Other titles I've used and recommend of his are A Lion to Guard Us, The Chalkbox Kid, Pocahontas and the Stranger, and Shoeshine Girl.  Most of his books are chapter books, and he has quite a bit of historical fiction.  He's definitely an author to explore if you're looking for a book for the middle grades.

For other mentor text lessons, click on the mentor text label to the right and come back soon.