Mentor Texts: From Reading to Writing | Editable Template + Example

Mentor texts create a powerful bridge between what students read and what they are expected to write. Whether you’re using a text to explicitly model a writing skill or to build the content knowledge students need to write successfully, this template provides a simple, consistent structure for making that connection visible.

The editable Mentor Text Lesson Template guides teachers through a purposeful pre-reading, during-reading and post-reading routine — helping students access the text, build understanding and transfer their learning into their own writing.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

✨ Editable Mentor Text Lesson Template
A clear, repeatable structure for planning pre-reading, during-reading and post-reading instruction.

✨ Completed Example
See exactly how the routine can be planned and implemented in a real classroom lesson.

WHY TEACHERS WILL LOVE IT

Because reading and writing shouldn’t exist in isolation.

Mentor texts allow us to intentionally connect the two. A carefully selected text can be used to:

✏️ MODEL THE SKILL
Show students what effective writing looks like and make the writer’s choices visible.

📚 DELIVER THE CONTENT
Build the vocabulary, ideas, context and knowledge students need before they write.

Rather than simply asking students to read an example, this template provides a repeatable instructional routine that makes the purpose of the mentor text clear and ensures the reading leads somewhere.

THE MENTOR TEXT ROUTINE

1. SET THE SCENE
Establish the purpose for reading and activate prior knowledge.

2. PRE-TEACH
Explicitly teach the vocabulary students need to access the text.

3. READ
Students independently engage with the text, with support adjusted to need.

4. RE-READ + UNPACK
The teacher models fluent reading, clarifies understanding and explicitly draws attention to the lesson focus.

5. CONNECT + APPLY
Students complete a purposeful post-reading task that transfers the skill or content into their own learning and writing.

Created by a teacher, for real classrooms — because the strongest literacy instruction doesn’t separate reading and writing. It intentionally connects them.