Prewriting Strategies Brainstorming for Kindergarten 3 rd Grade

Prewriting Strategies: Brainstorming for Kindergarten - 3 rd Grade Brainstorming What is a brainstorm? A brainstorm is a prewriting strategy that can help students select and develop a topic or idea, identify things they feel strongly about, and find their voice. Why brainstorm? Brainstorms allow students to generate a list of topics, ideas, and details; visualize many ideas at the same time; and develop sentences and paragraphs. Ways to Brainstorm • Brainstorm to generate a list of topics – Write or draw the ideas that come to mind. • Brainstorm to develop supporting details – Write a topic at the top of a piece of paper, and then write or draw ideas related to that topic. Brainstorm to Generate a List of Topics Write a list of ideas as they come to mind. Example: Prompt students to write about a sport or outdoor activity. Draw pictures of ideas as they come to mind. Example: Prompt students to write about a sport or outdoor activity. • Baseball 1. 4. 2. 5. • Soccer • Basketball • Football • Swimming 3. Brainstorm to Develop Supporting Details Write a list of ideas related to the topic. Example: Playing Basketball • Basketball court behind the school Draw pictures of ideas related to the topic. Example: Playing Basketball 1. 4. 2. 5. • Playing basketball at recess • Choosing teams • Keoni and Mekana on my team • Shooting a basket 3.

Prewriting Strategies: Bubble Maps for Kindergarten Bubble Maps and Webs What is a bubble map? A bubble map is a prewriting strategy that can help students focus on a topic, generate a list of ideas about a topic, and develop supporting details. Why use a bubble map? Bubble maps allow students to explore multiple facets of one topic, map connections between ideas, and prioritize thoughts. When can students use bubble maps? Students can use bubble maps to develop ideas for a topic, focus their thoughts, and organize a piece of writing. Create a Bubble Map 1. Draw a bubble and put the subject of the writing in the center. 2. Think about things related to the topic. Add bubbles radiating from the center bubble. 3. Continue adding and connecting bubbles until the space is full of related ideas. Inspire Sentence Building 1. Encourage students to describe their pictures using complete sentences. 2. Help students create sentences that include lists and conjunctions. 3. Teach students to develop ideas and add details. Create a Bubble Map Example: Prompt students to create a bubble map about things they like to do. Reasons Things I Like To Do Topic Details

Prewriting Strategies: Bubble Maps for 1 st - 3 rd Grade Bubble Maps and Webs What is a bubble map? A bubble map is a prewriting strategy that can help students focus on a topic, generate a list of ideas about a topic, and develop supporting details. Why use a bubble map? Bubble maps allow students to explore multiple facets of one topic, map connections between ideas, and prioritize thoughts. When can students use bubble maps? Students can use bubble maps to develop ideas for a topic, focus their thoughts, and organize a piece of writing. Create a Bubble Map 1. Draw a bubble and put the subject of the writing in the center. 2. Think about things related to the topic. Add bubbles radiating from the center bubble. 3. Continue adding and connecting bubbles until the space is full of related ideas. Inspire Sentence Building 1. Encourage students to create sentences that include lists and conjunctions. 2. Help students organize and categorize their ideas. 3. Teach students to develop ideas and add details. Create a Bubble Map Example: Prompt students to create a bubble map about their favorite book. Their map may include complete sentences (shown) or words and phrases upon which they can build sentences. Max does a magic trick. Max is king of the monsters. The monsters have horns. I like Max. The monsters have yellow eyes. I like the monsters. Where the Wild Things Are The monsters and Max dance. I like the pictures. I can tell when Max is happy or sad. Reasons Topic Details

Bubble Maps and Webs: A Prewriting Strategy Brainstorm Topics and Ideas Write or draw a list of topics that you want to write about. Step 2. Add ideas Write ideas about your topic. Use lines to connect your ideas to your topic. Did your teacher give you a topic? Will your teacher let you choose your topic? Think about your topic. Brainstorm ideas about your topic. Draw a line from your bubble. Write one idea at the end of each line. Draw a bubble around each idea. Brainstorm a list of topics you want to write about. You can write the list with words or draw pictures. Example: Brainstorm possible topics Example: Where The Wild Things Are Reason Basketball Reading Swimming Example: Make a list of ideas about reading books. What books do you like to read? Topic I like to read books. Step 3. Add details Write details about your ideas. Use lines to connect your details to your ideas. Where the Wild Things Are Amelia Bedelia How I Became A Pirate Step 1. Pick a topic Write your idea in the middle of your piece of paper. Draw a circle or box around it. This will be the topic of your sentence or paragraph. Focus on an idea that you… § Have strong feelings about § Can describe § Think will be interesting Write your idea in the middle of your paper. Draw a circle or box around it. Example: Topic I like to read books. Think about each of your ideas. Brainstorm details that describe each of your ideas. You may want to include… § Descriptive words § Examples § Your opinion Draw a line from each idea bubble. Write one detail at the end of each line. Draw a bubble around each detail. Example: I like Max. Details Reason Topic Where The Wild Things Are I like the monsters. I like to read books.

What-Why-How: A Prewriting Strategy Step 1. What do you think? Step 2. Why do you think it? Write one sentence stating your opinion. It can also be your main idea. The reasons you have to support your opinion. Focus on something that you… __have a strong feeling about; __can describe in great detail; Think about your topic/opinion statement and brainstorm reasons why you feel the way you do about it. __think will interest your audience; __think will be worth reading for your audience. Write your opinion sentence in the “What” box on the What-Why-How Strategy Form. Step 3. How do you know? The evidence, examples, or quote(s) you have to support each reason. Identify the evidence, examples, or quote(s) you have to support each reason in the “Why” column. Write the evidence, examples, or quote(s) in the “How” column of the What-Why-How Strategy Form. Your audience needs the evidence to understand your opinion. Write the reasons you have to support your opinion statement in the “Why” column of the What-Why. How Strategy Form. Three things to keep in mind as you develop your ideas. • Purpose – Why are you writing this? • Audience – Why is it important to the audience? • Key words – What are the important words that help you focus your thinking? Use the completed What-Why-How Strategy Form to organize your ideas on the Essay Organizer Form. There is an Essay Organizer Form for either a 5 or 6 paragraph essay. Adapted from: : The Writing Teacher’s Strategy Guide by Steve Peha at http: //www. ttms. org