Teach Better - Work Less - Achieve More: Group Brainstorm EduProtocol

Four students work side by side (or across the room) to generate ideas. Students will inevitably read the ideas of their peers and think of even more fantastic spinoff ideas! In this EduProtocol, all students will find a safe space to generate free-flowing ideas.

Academic Goals

• Allow students to "play" off ideas while allowing all students to contribute at the same time.
• Allow weaker students, especially English-language learners, students with special needs, and shy students to have a scaffolded experience through the support of their peers.
• Generate many ideas quickly.

Teacher Big Ideas

• Use a quiet brainstorm session, which allows all students to participate equally.
• Create an environment where all ideas are accepted and considered.
• Support all learners.

Prepare for the Activity

Step 1: Prepare a slide that provides space for four students to collaborate.

Step 2: Share it with groups of four students.

Instructions

Step 1: Define a brainstorming subject.
Step 2: Set a timer.
Step 3: Allow students to silently brainstorm for the allotted time.
Step 4: Students comment on each other's items without discussing aloud.

Variation

Use the brainstorming activity with partners, using two boxes on a page instead of four.

Adapting for Littles

• Allow just enough time for littles, who are slower writers than their older counterparts.
• Use voice-to-text feature if available in your word processing program. Set to fourteen- or sixteen-point font so littles can begin to read the generated text.

Check out the slide deck below and feel free to make a copy of the template, including step-by-step directions for this EduProtocol.