The Writing Thief: Using Mentor Texts to Teach the Craft of Writing

As an instructional assistant, Ruth Culham’s “The Writing Thief" helped me get a different perspective of using mentor texts for writing. I was not familiar before with mentor texts until I read her book. This is a good book to read for a teacher , future teacher or anyone that is looking for different ways to teach writing skills. Ch1 explains how mentor texts incorporate the 6+1 traits and shows how previous tactics used before could not be transformed to student led where students have choice boards for genre and mode. Ch2 gives in-depth explanation of the power of mentor texts in the classrooms to transform students’ engagement by using picture books (PB) , or everyday texts (ET). Ch3 gives examples of mentor texts that could be used for informational writing, Ch4 narrative writing and Ch5 argument writing.

Rating this book for what it IS, not for what I WANT IT TO BE, it easily earns five stars from me for information, thoroughness, practicality, usability, clarity, and references. Although written for elementary grades (I teach English language arts to grades 6-11), I purchased it anyway after reading the reviews and found it to be quite informative. I, as expected, was able to glean some useful information from it. NOTE: Be aware that it doesn't actually CONTAIN the mentor writings; it refers the reader to the book/Web site that does contain the model for writing. Pages 40-43 list the key qualities and their components of each writing trait. Excellent for preparing a sound assessment rubric! For those who teach elementary grades, this book is an absolute winner, a definite must have. By following the guidelines in it, your students will have a solid foundation in all genres of writing -- and for those who teach writing to the upper grades, your school will love you for it. Oh, yes, and it's also Common Core friendly. BOTTOM LINE: Buy it.

This is an excellent practical source for every teachers professional library. It is full of great tips and mentor text that have opened my eyes to new ways to engage and inspire the students I teach everyday.

If you ever had the privilege to hear Ruth Culham present then you will be just as pleased reading The Writing Thief, because it reads in the same dynamic and engaging fashion as she presents. This book is the perfect resource for teachers to revitalize their writing instruction. It provides helpful strategies and resources to make writing engaging, help students see the reading-writing connection, and meet the demanding CCSS through the use of mentor texts. The texts Ruth cites in the book are link to the writing traits and you can easily see how these or other mentor texts could be used to develop your students writing. The list of mentor texts is extensive, but Ruth includes additional informational as well about 4W's of writing. Once again, Ruth has given teachers a very practical, easy to read and useful book to help us tap into our students' potential and harness their writing gifts.

This book proved to be an excellent resource for building the background knowledge of the teachers in my building regarding the 6 traits of writing. The teachers were teaching the lessons in their reading basal about the 6 traits, but did not yet have a good handle on the specific qualities that make up each trait. The Writing Thief definitely strengthened teacher’s knowledge and as a result, their confidence in teaching writing. This book also provided staff with numerous quality mentor texts that can easily be incorporated into the basal materials they are required to use. Through reading this book, teachers also felt empowered and equipped to find mentor texts on their own. This book was an excellent choice for a staff book study!

I have taught first grade for 20 years and prided myself with the writing my students produced. This year I moved to third grade and was really stumped on how to attack opinion writing, UNTIL I read chapter 5 of The Writing Thief. This book is well written, easy to understand and enjoyable to read. The mentor texts suggested are available the the lessons ideal. This is a must have book for all K-8 writing teachers.

This was a good purchase to build background knowledge for me as a writing instructor. However, I was hoping for more passages or book suggestions that I could use as exemplars for teaching my students. I loved the idea and so do my students about "being a writing thief".

A masterpiece. Five pages into the book and I already needed page markers and a highliter. All of Ruth's Books have one thing in common and that is the fact that they propel you further. I have never read any of her books and felt done. As soon as I finish each chapter I order or reserve on hold in my local library, many of the texts and picture books she refers to. It's impossible not to. This should be required reading for all writing teachers. Frankly, I am having a hard time taking care of my kids. I'd rather read this all day long. For me this is the equivalent of an absorbing novel. She really walks you step by step through the writing process, traits and modes. Worth every single penny!

Great book! I’m going to use it for guided writing.

Good Book