We all know 2nd grade students LOVE to share information! However, they often seem to find it harder to get information about a researched topic on paper. A GREAT way to introduce informational writing is through the use of mentor texts. An easy and effective format for this is to:
- Read an informational text aloud to the class.
- Write out facts on chart paper that were learned from the book (in students' own words!)
- Have students write a report to share the most important information they learned from the text.
In this post we have informational mentor text ideas for you AND a fantastic resource with 2nd grade informational writing samples ready to print and display!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Take the guesswork out of teaching informational writing—get ALL the tools you and your students will need to be successful. RSVP now to be notified when our Lucky to Learn Writing informational unit is released and be among the first to access these essential resources!
Mentor Texts for Informational Writing in 2nd Grade
Below is a list of just some of the MANY great texts available. Hopefully a few of these engaging reads helps jumpstart the informational writing unit in your classroom!
1. Bats & Spiders
written & illustrated by Gail Gibbons
When it comes to nonfiction, Gail Gibbons is an amazing resource! Not only does she research and write her science and social studies based books, she is the illustrator too! Her bright illustrations are kid friendly. Students love her books! Because of this, her books make a great informational writing kickoff! Click on the images below to view some student favorites!
In both of these books, Ms. Gibbons shares many facts students will find fascinating (or creepy). After sharing one (or both) of these informational read alouds, teachers can have students write out facts they learned about these creepy creatures.
Bats
Spiders
2- National Geographic Kids Readers
written by Anne Schrieber & Laura Marsh
Kids LOVE National Geographic readers. The kid friendly text, as well as amazing photos are sure to captivate your young writers. (These books even include subject themed jokes!)
With tons of books to choose from, there is a topic for each student to research! (After the shared read aloud and modeling of course!)
3- Who Were the Wright Brothers? (& other Who Was Books)
written by James Buckley Jr.
Part of informational writing in 2nd grade is biography writing. Learning about the brothers who pioneered the first airplane is sure to be engaging for students! This series covers a ton of famous people in history. You are sure to find something to pique each student's interests.
4- Wild Weather Books
written by Liza Charlesworth
Another engaging topic for students is storms and other weather events. These Scholastic books are written at a kid friendly level and include engaging photographs. Reading these is sure to prompt several discussions and story telling. Students will want to research these topics further!
5- Magic Tree House Fact Checkers
written by Will & Mary Pope Osborne
These books are AH-MAZ-ING! They go along with a fiction Magic Tree House Chapter book and provide the facts of the tine period Jack & Annie visited. The book below coincides with Magic Tree House #2: Knights at Dawn. It would be so fun to read Knights at Dawn, and then follow it up with the Fact Checker. Next, write an informational report with students about the time period!
6- Let's Read & Find Out Series
written by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, illustrated by James Graham Hale
The Let's Read & Find Out book series usually starts with a question, such as “how are mountains made”. Then, as they read students will find out facts and information about the topic. This book covers how mountains were formed and could make for a fun lesson on earth's formation, volcanos and fossils!
7- Writer's Toolbox
written by Nancy Loewen, illustrated by Christoper Lyles, Dawn Beacon & Todd Ouren
If it seems like your students need more direct instruction on informational writing (and many other types of writing) then this might be the book for you! This book offers tools (tips & tricks) for students to gain informational writing confidence.
Student Informational Writing 2nd Grade Samples
Displaying samples of proficient writing is a great way to transition from hearing how authors share informational writing in mentor texts, to students becoming the authors themselves!
Get Writing Bulletin Board
Take a look at how to use these student writing samples as a visual rubric to help struggling writers.
2 Ways to Get This Resource
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
Or... Purchase the bundle in our shop.
More Tips for 2nd Grade Writing Instruction
Hopefully these mentor texts and 2nd grade writing samples help get your informational writing unit off the ground! For some tips & tricks to teach other writing units, check out the following resources.
Opinion Writing
14 Mentor Texts to Teach Opinion Writing
Narrative Writing
Teaching Narrative Writing in the Primary Classroom
Happy Teaching!
Take the guesswork out of teaching informational writing—get ALL the tools you and your students will need to be successful. RSVP now to be notified when our Lucky to Learn Writing informational unit is released and be among the first to access these essential resources!
Do you focus on what type (informative, narrative, opinion) of writing and once students have a good grasp of it move to another type or do you just use all types when you see fit?
Hello Erica, This is a fantastic question! We have a suggested scope and sequence that our team of teachers created as a suggestion for when they introduce different types of writing in their classrooms with success. I hope this helps!
1st GRADE S&S
2nd GRADE S&S
Where do I purchase this hibernation writing?? I searched your store on TPT. Maybe I am overlooking.
Hello Ashley! The Hibernation writing is a part of our Writing Bulletin Board Pack. You can find it in our shop HERE. Another option is to purchase an All Access Membership for unlimited access to all of our resources. If that interests you, view membership options HERE. I hope that helps and have a great day!