I recently spent a week in Omaha, Nebraska conducting writing workshop inservices.   The Omaha teachers were fabulous and had so much to offer!  It was a high-energy, roll-up-our-sleeves week in which I was definitely both the teacher and the learner.  

I was reminded of what a gift a two-day inservices can be.  (I worked with teachers in grades 4-6 at the beginning of the week, primary teachers at the end.)  One day of six traits or writer’s workshop is an introduction. By the end of two days, however, I’m fairly convinced that teachers have the information and practice they need to make significant changes in their teaching. (Big thanks to Christina Warner for arranging the perfect schedule.)

With both groups, we took some time to examine our favorite picture books and identify ways in which they could be used as mentor texts.  Fourth Grade teacher Holly Sobota offered to compile a list and she’s given me permission to share this list with all of you.  Thanks, Holly!