Lesson 2: Creating an Expert List

OBJECTIVE:

This lesson is designed to help students generate a list of high interest topics from which they may choose to write during free writing times.

BEGINNING:

Ask students to gather in the group meeting area. Begin a discussion of student's areas of interest. The script that follows is only a guide.

TEACHER: "Is there something that you are really good at or that you know a lot about?"

STUDENT: "I know about baseball because I play baseball."

TEACHER: "What are some things you know about baseball?"

STUDENT: "Well, you have to hit the ball and then run to first base. If the coach tells you to keep going, then you run to second base. The people in the outfield try to catch the ball. If you get to run to all the bases, then you got a home run."

TEACHER: "Wow! It sounds like you know a lot about baseball! Does someone else know a lot about something that they would like to share?"

Allow a few more students to share.

TEACHER: "Does anyone know what an expert is?"

Allow time for response.

TEACHER: "An expert is someone who knows a lot about something. It sounds like we have a lot of experts in this room. I know we have a baseball expert, and a…"

Continue to recognize a few students as experts.

TEACHER: "Something that good writers do is write about what they know best. Sometimes they need a little help thinking about what to write so they keep a list of ideas to write about. This is their expert list. If I were to make an expert list I would have to write some things I know a lot about. I would start by writing Expert List at the top of my paper."

The teacher writes "Expert List" at the top of a piece of chart paper.

TEACHER: "Let's see…I know a lot about reading. I will write reading on my expert list. If I wanted to write about reading, then I would have a lot of things to say…."

As the teacher thinks aloud he or she will generate a written list. When the teacher has thought of five or six items then he or she should stop the list.

ACTIVITY:

TEACHER: "Have any of you thought of things you could write on an expert list? When you go to your seat you should take a piece of paper and write the words "Expert List" at the top. Then, write a list of things that you know a lot about. This will be a list that you can keep in the front of your writing folder. When you can't think of something to write then you can look at your expert list to get some ideas for writing."

The teacher should circulate around the room offering guidance and affirmation to the students. Some students will need more guidance than others.

EVALUATION:

As students complete their expert list the teacher should ask them to come for a conference. Ask the student to read his or her list aloud. Discuss with the student why he or she included some items to the list. Make sure the student understands the purpose for their expert list and that the list will be useful to the student.

VARIATIONS:

Rather than ask students to write a list of items, ask them to take a magazine and cut out five pictures that they really like. They should place the pictures in a manila envelope that has been three hole punched on one side. Then, they should cut out five picture they don't like and place them in another envelope that has been three-hole punched. These envelopes should go into a writing notebook, so the pictures can be used as writing prompts.

A teacher may also ask parents to send snapshots of their children involved in something they enjoy. These snapshots can be put in the envelopes and used as writing prompts.