By Oliver Allport, Grade 1 classroom teacher and Talk for Writing specialist. Picture of a story map in Grade 5.
A model text is carefully chosen or written example filled with examples of grammatical and stylistic features we want the children to learn. It might be a short story or a non-fiction informative piece. They are almost entirely written by the teachers themselves so they can incorporate the features the children in that group need to work on.
Why teachers use a model text
Teachers use the model text to help children notice things like:
- how the text is organised
- interesting vocabulary
- how sentences are structured
- how writers build suspense, describe characters, or create settings
By exploring the model together, children begin to understand the tools writers use.
Learning the text
In our school we spend a lot of time learning to say the model texts by heart. This helps the children internalise the patterns of language. We live by the mantra ‘if you can’t say it, you can’t write it.’
Pictorial version
In all classes, a pictorial version of the model text is created. This is known as our story map. This supports the children who are still learning English and those still learning to read.
Alongside reciting the models, we use physical actions to support the understanding and remembering of the texts. You might see or hear your own children doing this.
Springboard
Once the children know the model text well, they use it as a springboard for writing their own pieces, usually sticking to the same genre and style. The children use the sentence patterns they know to construct their own sentences with their own ideas.
Clear guide
Writing can feel challenging for many children. Model texts give them a clear guide and help remove some of the uncertainty. Instead of wondering where to start, they already understand the shape of a good piece of writing.