Check out the Ralph Fletcher podcast on mentor texts

I love reading professional books. I especially love reading professional books that nudge and challenge those teaching ideas that become solidified (and misapplied) over time due to misunderstanding and misguided mandates. When teachers "do" whole language or "do" mentor texts, as Fletcher mentions in this podcast, a red flag should go up: "doing" is scripted and regulated. Instead, we need teachers who watch kids and encourage conversation in the classroom, then use this to inform their teaching. The podcast below with Ralph Fletcher is a glimpse into Fletcher's latest work regarding mentor texts and I know I'm going to love reading the book when it comes to my mailbox in September.
Enjoy!

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/1561.cfm

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