First published 2020
Older students take on the role of writing mentors in this classroom-based story. They create sample journal entries that demonstrate specific writing techniques through both text and illustrations. Their younger partners examine these examples each week, searching for elements their mentors executed well. The younger students highlight successful techniques as part of their investigation process. This mentoring relationship works within any existing writing curriculum. Teachers can adjust the focus areas based on which particular skills they want their student writers to develop. The story centers on how these cross-grade partnerships create genuine learning opportunities where authentic modeling replaces traditional instruction methods.
Genres: fiction, school-stories, contemporary, education, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, mentorship
38 pages · Paperback · Independently published