I’ve been thinking a lot about the balance of nonfiction and fiction texts in the classroom lately. Starting today, I’m making an effort to share more nonfiction picture books you can use as mentor texts in writing workshop. While I haven’t taken stock of how many fiction picture books I’ve recommended as mentor texts here through the years, I know it’s a lot more than the amount of nonfiction ones I’ve suggested. That being said, I have a great nonfiction book you can use in both social studies and writing workshop!
If your students are writing biographies or any kind of narrative nonfiction, then Hanging off Jefferson’s Nose: Growing Up on Mount Rushmore will be an excellent addition to your classroom library. Hanging off Jefferson’s Nose is the story of how Mount Rushmore was envisioned by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and how his vision was carried out by his son, Lincoln Borglum. The chronology of events begins in 1924 when the Borglums traveled to South Dakota to learn about the tourist attraction. However, it wasn’t until 1941 when Mount Rushmore was completed. The hard work and dedication that the Borglums and their crew is chronicled in this engaging text written by Tina Nichols Coury. Sally Wern Comport illustrated this book in a way that truly evokes the time period and the rugged conditions in which Mount Rushmore was built.
This book can serve as a nonfiction mentor text to teach the following craft moves: lead, satisfying ending, sequencing, setting details, vivid language/rich descriptions, and power of three. In addition, there are many conventions-type moves (e.g., using dashes, paragraphing, making dates flow in different parts of the sentence, you can use this book to for when you confer with students.
Here’s a peek at some interior spreads from the text:
Giveaway Information:
This giveaway is for a copy of Hanging off Jefferson’s Nose: Growing Up on Mount Rushmore for one of our readers. Many for thanks to Dial Books for Young Readers for sponsoring this giveaway.To enter for a chance to win a copy of Hanging off Jefferson’s Nose: Growing Up on Mount Rushmore each reader may leave one comment about this post in the comments section of this post. Feel free to share your thoughts about how you would use this book in your classroom or about ways you use nonfiction mentor texts in your writing workshop.All comments left on or before Friday, August 24th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time will be entered into a random drawing using a random number generator on Sunday, August 26th.I will announce the winner’s name at the bottom of this post by August 27th.Please be sure to leave a valid e-mail address when you post your comment so I can contact you to obtain your mailing address and have my contact at Dial send the book out to you. Please note: Your e-mail address will not be published online.
Comments are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who left a comment about Hanging off Jefferson’s Nose. Congratulations to Chris whose comment number was picked using the random number generator. Chris said:
Great illustrations! I would use this during a study of narrative nonfiction…how to determine fact from fiction. It would also be great to study how illustrations make a nonfiction story even that more interesting.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 
I love collecting nonfiction books and adding variety for the kids to use .. Would love to add this to my collection for the new school year!!
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I can hardly wait to get my hands on this book! We are working to incorporate more on-fiction picture books into our social studies instruction. I could use this book for social studies first and then for writing.
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My third graders learn about the regions of the United States and this looks like a great book to add to that collection, as well as use as a mentor text for Writer’s Workshop.
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Thank you for this – I’ve always been stronger at finding fiction mentor texts, too. I will add this book to my list!
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This looks like a wonderful addition to the classroom library. I am excited by quality nonfiction and look forward to teaching more with texts like this one. This book sounds like a good one to read in the beginning of the year talking about the stamina, teamwork, and other positive attributes that are modeled here. Thanks.
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This book would be a wonderful addition as a mentor text in both our reading and writing workshops! The book could be used to inspire students to write about their own dreams!
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Always looking for ways to incorporate nonfiction into my curriculum…The illustrations and title of this book will be great jumping-off points for my sixth graders as they begin their personal narratives.
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This looks like a great text to share with my 5th graders. I know they will love it!
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This non-fiction mentor text would have so many uses in my Writing Block for my 5th Graders! Such an interesting topic! Thank you for bringing it to my attention!
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What I great book! Visiting Mt. Rushmore is on my bucket list!
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I have been looking for some great nonfiction mentor texts to incorporate in my writer’s workshop to show great expository writing. This looks like it will be perfect!
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Love this book and I, too, am really on the hunt for good nonfiction books as this is not a genre I love. A big help to me in this is the lists from the National Council for Social Studies like this one from 2011. http://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/notable2011.pdf
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This sounds like a great book! I can’t wait to read it!
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This is a wonderful book to use for my non-fiction unit!!
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Oh, I read this at my husband’s work this summer and meant to buy it for my classroom. Winning it would be even better!
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Whether I win it or buy it, I’m getting this book. We need more non-fiction mentors as the balance is way skewed in the direction of fictional mentors! Thanks for sharing!
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I am always looking for exciting ways to share non-fiction text with students and use it to help with their writing. This would be a great addition to my classroom.
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Living in Minnesota, many of my students have visited Mt Rushmore and would have many connections with this mentor text. The CCSS are pushing all teachers to use more nonfiction in all content areas. This would be a great addition to our 5th grade classroom library and my collection of mentor texts for writing.
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This looks like a great story. Love the catchy title. Could be used along with our personal narrative unit. Thanks for sharing.
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This book definitely caught my attention…can’t wait to try it out with my students! Thanks for the recommendation!
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This book would be a perfect addition to my 5th grade social studies curriculum. The book cover will really captures my students attention.
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Having 3 grandsons definitely lends itself to nonfiction books. Gotta get out West and see that place for myself. Thanks for the info.
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The title and front cover had me curious and wanting to learn more. Love it and can’t wait to check it out. I, too, love the idea of incorporating more nonfiction text during writing workshop. Another reminder to stay balanced! Thank you!
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I use nonfiction to increase the desire to read. (keep a timeline; become an expert on one landmark…..). This book goes along with my Social Studies curriculum.
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The title really grabs you. I am always looking for more nonfiction texts.
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I love nonfiction and am always on the lookout for great new titles. This looks like one I definitely need to have.
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I would love to use this book along with our presidents study. It could segway the study from a side door prospective. Each child can choose a mount Rushmore president to create autobiography as if written by that president.
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Looks like a great read. Our grade just discussed using more nonfiction texts…this would be a great reading/writing mentor text.
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Looks like such a fun book. Kid’s love quirky facts about history.
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Love the idea of more non fiction mentor text. This one looks like it will be a great one. I was looking for something on sequence/ timeline. I am starting my science writing with sequence so was looking for a text in social studies to model the same skill. This might just fit the bill.
thanks for sharing. ( I tried to post earlier from my phone and I think if failed so am trying again.)
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Looks like a good text for social studies as well.
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I have been an advocate of non-fiction mentor text for years since it is really where most students’ interests begin, they want to learn more about the world around them. I’d love this book!
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We are moving toward making our Social Studies curriculum drive our selections in the Language Arts classrooms as the Common Core recommends an increase in nonfiction texts. This coordinates well and could even connect with geological topics of the Science curriculum. Thanks for sharing!
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I am always looking for a non-fiction mentor text. NJ’s standardized testing will be focusing on nonfiction text, so this book is an absolute bonus!
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This would be a great book to share with my students as many of them have visited Mt. Rushmore (just like I did this summer).
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Great illustrations! I would use this during a study of narrative nonfiction…how to determine fact from fiction. It would also be great to study how illustrations make a nonfiction story even that more interesting.
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With an increased focus on non-fiction reading and writing, this book would be a great addition to my classroom library!
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I’ve never heard of this book before – thank you!
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Thanks for highlighting a great non-fiction selection. This is definitely my classroom library weakness, and as a result I do not often use non-fiction mentor texts–but it is a goal for this current school year. Thanks.
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I would give it to one of our middle school/junior high teachers. This year they will be teaching social studies and language arts in a block, and I think this book would be perfect for them!
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I am glad to see a nonfiction mentor text. This is an area where I need to work harder! Posts like this are greatly appreciated.
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Sounds like this is a book with a lot of “hooks” to catch readers with different interests. I echo the comments I read. So many great ideas! Just what we need as we try to increase focus on nonfiction.
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Because of the title, I believe I could really be able to hook my middle school writers. Thank you for sharing this awesome looking non-fiction book to use in writer’s workshop!
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I would use the book in comparison with a nonfiction memior text comparing the details. Then have kids take a nonfiction text and create a narrative put of it.
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I’ve been working on integrating more nonfiction into my classroom as well. There are some really great books out to choose from! I would LOVE a copy of Hanging Off Jefferson’s Nose!
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This is a book that will help students visualize Mount Rushmore and history in the making. Everyone will want to visit, because it is absolutely awe inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
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I’ve been working in my classroom organizing my existing library. My daughter who has helped would say “No more books!”‘, but this one looks like a must have for many reasons. Thanks for sharing.
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We are changing to Common Core standards in our South Carolina district. The focus is on much more nonfiction text. This would be great for my social studies classroom.
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With the incorporation of Common Core, everyone is looking for great nonfiction mentor texts. Thanks for getting us started with this book. I love the title and the cover illustration. Certainly hooks the reader. I can see that it could lead to more research as well. I teach gifted kids and I look for literature to spark their interest and lead to further exploration.
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We are rebuilding our classroom libraries to include more non fiction texts. I think this book will be a great addition. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
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This book would go perfectly both in Writer’s Workshop and as we study the regions of the US and features and National Landmarks. I would love to share this book with my students along with the photos I took when I visited Mt. Rushmore this summer.
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Ooh, looks neat! Thanks for posting about this! Non-fiction books like this are great for HS ELLs because they are accessible but high-interest and not babyish! I would love to hear about some more high-quality non-fiction like this.
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@JenniferM: I’m on it. I think I found four great science ones that’ll be erect for your kids. Stay tuned.
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With elections coming up…it sounds like a wonderful book to use as a mentor text!
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It looks like a wonderful book for point of view.
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Looks interesting! I am always looking for new mentor texts for the classroom.
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I anticipate this book will be a perfect companion piece to follow up Phil Bildner’s book Twenty One Elephants. Aside from covering historical monuments in American history I am confident that it will be a landmark text that i can revisit again an again to strengthen my intermediate student’s writing skills.
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I too have been thinking about the new balance suggested by the common core standards… I would love I have a great mentor text like this to add to my collection, especially as we explore regions of the United States this year!:)
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In a recent PD session, it was mentioned that we should be using about 60% nonfiction- something that sent a groan around the room. Thanks for another title to think about.
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I like the idea of using the book in environmental science class, for Rock types, importance of conservation of land,
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I am a librarian so I would love to add this to our collection for many to enjoy!
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I think this book could serve many purposes. The illustrations are beautiful. I think I might use it for personal narratives. It’s a wonderful way to show them the different possibilities you can structure a biography or personal narrative.
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Nonfiction mentor texts has been both a topic of conversation as well as an interest I’ve been exploring this summer. New book title to me. It would fit perfectly as we write a president biography in the winter.
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This book would be very helpful for a class I will be teaching on writing and illustrating a short story. The illustrations show depth and perspective. Your ideas how the story could be used was very helpful. I love non-fiction.
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Thank you for sharing this book with so many ideas about using it in a writing classroom. I love using biographies to inspire children. I’m looking forward to reading this book!
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This looks like an awesome book! I agree that this book would be great sequencing. Perhaps it could be used for creating a timeline, too!
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This book sounds perfect for sequencing. I’m looking forward to reading it especially since I have been there twice. What an interesting topic!
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Another teaching point I see is developing titles. This title grabs you immediately and makes you want to read it. I really appreciate that you are going to incorporate more nonfiction titles as mentor texts. Looking forward to more ideas with nonfiction.
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@Elsie: You’re right about using the title to teach kids how to craft better titles. Good call!
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Looks like a great book. I would love to use it in my classroom. Thanks for sharing!
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I would love to use this book. From these three pages, I can tell that it would be great to use for sequencing and using specific details. Thanks for the opportunity!
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This is the perfect book to read when the students write biographies. They need to identify character traits of their subjects first and then cite the persons accomplishments that exemplfy those traits. I read “Thank You Sarah, The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving”, and “Martin’s Big Words”. This looks like it would round out the trio perfectly.
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