ELA Unlimited

Transform Your Standards-Based Teaching with a Mentor Text Strategy

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In this episode, Savannah dives into an effective, transformative strategy for teaching standards in middle school ELA: using a common mentor text. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to cover every text in your curriculum or struggled to connect standards to your teaching, this episode is for you!


Savannah shares her personal experience with the novel Ghost by Jason Reynolds and how it has become a cornerstone of her classroom strategy. Learn how using a common text simplifies teaching, supports student understanding, and allows you to focus on deeper learning of standards like plot, theme, and annotation strategies.


What You'll Learn in This Episode:

  • How to introduce a common mentor text and build it into your classroom routines.
  • Strategies for teaching plot, theme, and annotation through the lens of a shared book.
  • Why a shorter, engaging text like Ghost can be a game-changer for student understanding.
  • How to connect new concepts and standards to an existing text for better comprehension.
  • Tips for involving students in read-alouds, character roles, and interactive discussions.

    • Resources Mentioned:

    • Ghost by Jason Reynolds (Savannah’s go-to mentor text for middle school ELA)


      • Annotation Strategies


        • RTQT Response Method


          • ELA Unlimited Resources: Your one-stop shop for standards-based activities, annotation guides, and more.


            • Join the Conversation:

            Do you have a go-to mentor text in your classroom? Share your experiences and thoughts! Email Savannah using the link below or leave a comment to let us know how this strategy is working for you.


            Additional Resources:

            • Check out ELA Unlimited for all your standards-based teaching needs
            • Email Savannah at [email protected]



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              ELA UnlimitedBy Ssavannah