How I Spent My Summer Vacation: A Mentor Back to School Text and a FREE Writing Activity

Hi All.  This week's Mentor Text Linkup is a special edition.  It is featuring favorite back to school books.  I really had a hard time deciding which one to highlight.  I have a humongous collection of back to school books.  The first book I read to my new firsties is always First Day Jitters by Julie Dannegerg.  I also love the Kevin Henkes mouse books during the first week or two of school (and really any other time).
But this link up is for a Mentor Text not Mentor Texts.  I had to pick one.  So I chose How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague.

This book has fab illustrations.  How I Spent My Summer Vacation tells the story of Wallace Bleff and his overly active imagination.  He spins a fun tale of being kidnapped by cowboys and his subsequent training as a cowhand.  He eventually shows up at a family barbecue with his cowboy crew in tow causing all sorts of excitement.

This book is really fun and the kids always respond well to it.  It is a great book to discuss inference as well.  

I like to use this book in conjunction with one of our first writing activities of the year, also titled "How I Spent My Summer Vacation."  I usually have my students complete and share their writing before I read the book aloud.  But of course, you can use this activity anyway you would like. 

If you would like a free copy of this writing activity, click on the picture below.

For more back to school text recommendations and activities visit Collaboration Cuties.

Thanks for reading.