Curated OER
Where We Live
Pupils become aware of the different homes in which people may live. They create a simple bar graph to compare the dwellings of their classmates. Students draw pictures of their own home and describe the details of the home to be placed...
Curated OER
Letter Sounds
Students orally say the sounds of the letters A, G, H, L, N, R, W, and J at the beginning of words when given a list of words that start with these letters. They use at least two of these words effectively in a sentence. Students...
Curated OER
Out of the Box
Learners brainstorm unique and unusual words associated with a given topic.
They then work together in groups to check their work against lists created by the teacher. Finally, they keep score of the points they receive for matching...
Curated OER
Watery World
Students brainstorm to develop resource/reference charts for later use. they are introduced to Microsoft Word and to an internet movie site. They use prepared chart headings, to respond to questions posed on each chart such as: Where do...
Curated OER
Mini-Squares of Life
Young scholars brainstorm to decide the best way to mark off square areas (that they will later study) that are smaller than one meter. They compare the suitability of different designs and create "mini-square markers." Finally, they...
Curated OER
Self-Motivating Letters
Students brainstorm reasons for attending a college class, and set goals for themselves to achieve while they are at school. They write letters using these reasons to encourage themselves. Letters are graded by the professor and sent out...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Viking Ship Design Challenge
In this design challenge, students learn about the Vikings from an engineering point-of-view. While investigating the history and anatomy of Viking ships, they learn how engineering solutions are shaped by the surrounding environment and...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Future Flights!
This lesson is an exciting conclusion to the airplanes unit that encourages students to think creatively. After a review of the concepts learned, students will design their own flying machine based on their knowledge of the forces...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Modern Day Pyramids
Students investigate the ways in which ancient technologies - six types of simple machines and combinations - are used to construct modern buildings. As they work together to solve a design problem (designing and building a modern...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Shapes of Strength
Students are introduced to brainstorming and the design process in problem solving as it relates to engineering. They perform an activity to develop and understand problem solving with an emphasis on learning from history. Using only...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Write It: Memoir
Write It Memoir offers a complete writing workshop to develop your personal story. Search your memory through the brainstorming activities to launch your piece. Draft a map of the memories along with reading other models. As the process...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: A Storm of Ideas
The first step in writing an informational text on the topic of students' choice is helping the student choose a topic of interest. Students will brainstorm ideas that will be possible final topics.
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School: Creating Subtopic Headings
An excellent tip sheet on how to group information after brainstorming and prewriting.
Other
Greg Freeman: Brainstorming Web
Greg Freeman gives an example and explanation of the graphic diagram called "brainstorming web." Includes suggestions for effective use, working strategies, and useful links.
Other
Write Design: Graphic Organizers
This site explores what graphic organizers are and why they are such valuable instructional tools. Five main types of organizers are addressed: webs, charts, trees, chains, and sketches.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Collaborative Prewriting and Drafting
A very useful lesson plan that incorporates the process of collaboration to elementary students. Students brainstorm and use prewriting strategies to write a group story.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Design a Flying Machine
The purpose of this activity is for the students to draw a design for their own flying machine. They will apply their knowledge of aircraft design and the forces acting on them. The students will start with a brainstorming activity where...
Read Works
Read Works: The Problem Solvers
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about solving problems. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina Writing Center Handouts: Brainstorming
This handout describes brainstorming as " taking advantage of your natural thinking processes by gathering your brain's energies into a 'storm.'" Learn how to use brainstorming techniques to gather ideas before you begin a project or to...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Paper Writing (I Just Got Assigned a Paper. Now What?)
Work through the writing process by following these ten easy steps. The site also provides tips on brainstorming to generate ideas and using Venn diagrams to organize thoughts.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Curriculum Hub: Ela Guidebooks: The Joy Luck Club: Prepare to Write
Prepare to write by brainstorming and determining the focus.
SUNY Empire State College
Empire State College: Developing Ideas for Writing: Brainstorming
This resource explains brainstorming and gives a sample idea list generated from brainstorming.
University of Richmond
University of Richmond: Brainstorming
This site from the University of Richmond provides step-by-step guidelines through the prewriting brainstorming process. Recommended as a solution to writer's block. Though brief in its content, the site is factual and informative.
Daily Teaching Tools
Daily Teaching Tools: Going to the Movies
This Daily Teaching Tools resource provides an efficient brainstorming strategy. The brainstorming techniques involves a simulated trip to the movies.