aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 7
What topic	Mentor texts
Quantity	1
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Engaging Introduction to Mentor Texts

Hook: The Literary Treasure Hunt

Objective:

To introduce students to the concept of mentor texts in a fun and interactive way, sparking curiosity and engagement for the learning ahead.

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Preparation:

• Gather a selection of mentor texts from various genres (short stories, poetry, essays) that exemplify strong writing techniques.
• Prepare a few envelopes or boxes, each containing a brief description of a mentor text (without revealing the title or author).

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Step 1: Set the Scene

Begin the lesson by dimming the lights and creating a mystery atmosphere. Play soft background music that evokes curiosity.

Teacher Says:
“Today, we are going on a treasure hunt, but not for gold or jewels. We’re on a quest to discover the hidden treasures of great writing! These treasures will help us become better writers ourselves.”

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Step 2: Introduce Mentor Texts

Explain to the students what mentor texts are:

Teacher Explains:
“A mentor text is a piece of writing that you can look to for inspiration, guidance, or techniques. Just like a mentor in our lives, these texts can teach us how to improve our writing skills. Think of them as maps that lead us to discover our own unique writing styles.”

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Step 3: The Literary Treasure Hunt Activity

1. Divide the Class: Split the class into small groups of three or four students.
2. Distribute Envelopes/Boxes: Each group receives an envelope containing a description of a mentor text.
3. Discussion: Give the groups time to read the descriptions. Encourage them to discuss what they think the texts might be about and how they could be used in their own writing.
4. Share: After a set time (about 5-7 minutes), have each group share their thoughts with the class without revealing the text's title.

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Step 4: Reveal the Mentor Texts

After the groups share their ideas, unveil the actual mentor texts. Allow students to briefly examine the texts and point out writing techniques they noticed or felt inspired by.

Teacher Concludes:
“Now that we’ve discovered some amazing mentor texts, we will explore them in-depth throughout this unit. Our goal is not only to learn from these writers but also to find our own voices through the inspiration they provide.”

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Wrap-Up

Transition into the main content of the lesson by explaining how the following activities will include analyzing the mentor texts and applying their techniques to improve their own writing.

Teacher Transitions:
“Let’s dive deeper into what makes these texts so effective and learn how we can apply their strategies to make our writing shine!”

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Note

This engaging start encourages students to think critically about writing and prepares them for a fruitful exploration of mentor texts.