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Prewriting Strategies: Brainstorming for Kindergarten - 3rd 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
Brainstorm
toorGenerate
a related
List of to
Topics
piece of paper, and
then write
draw ideas
that topic.
Write a list of ideas as they come to
mind.

Draw pictures of ideas as they come


to mind.

Example: Prompt students to write


about a sport or outdoor activity.

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.

Draw pictures of ideas related to the


topic.

Example: Playing Basketball

Example: Playing Basketball

Basketball court behind the school

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
add details.
Create
a and
Bubble
Map

Example: Prompt students to create a bubble map about things they like to do.

Things I Like To Do

Topi
c

Reaso
ns

Detai
ls

Prewriting Strategies: Bubble Maps for 1st - 3rd 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


ideasaand
add details.
Create
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 The monsters


have horns. have yellow
eyes.

I like Max.

I like the
monsters.

The monsters
and Max
dance.

I like the
pictures.

I can tell
when Max is
happy or
sad.

Reaso
Where the Wild Things Are Topi
ns
c

Detai
ls

Bubble Maps and Webs: A Prewriting Strategy

Brainstorm Topics and


Ideas
Write or draw a
list of topics that you
want to write about.

Did your teacher give you a


topic? Will
your teacher let you choose your
topic?
Brainstorm a list of topics you
want to
write about. You can write the
list with
Basketball
Reading
Swimming
words or draw
pictures.
Example: Brainstorm possible topics

Step 2. Add ideas


Write ideas about your topic. Use lines to
connect your ideas to 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.
Where
The Wild
Reas
Example:
Things Are
on

Topi
c

I like to read books.

Step 3. Add details


Example:
Make a list of ideas
about
Where
the Wild
How
I Became
Amelia
Bedelia
reading
books.
What
books
do
you
like
Things Are
A Pirate
to read?

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.

Write details about your ideas. Use lines to


connect your details to your ideas.
Think about each of your ideas.
Brainstorm details that describe
each of
your ideas. You may want to
include
Descriptive words
Examples
Your opinion

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:

Topi I like to read books.


c

Draw a line from each idea


bubble. Write
one detail at the end of each line.
Draw a
I like the
bubble around each detail.
I like Max.
monsters.
Where
Example:
The Wild
Detai
Things Are

lsReaso
n
Topi I like to read books.
c

What-Why-How: A Prewriting
Strategy

Step 1. What do you think?


Write one sentence stating
your opinion. It can also be
your main idea.
Focus on something that you
__have a strong feeling about;
__can describe in great detail;

Step 2. Why do you


think
it?
The reasons you have to
support your opinion.
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 WhatWhy-How Strategy Form.

Step 3. How do you


know?
The evidence, examples, or
quote(s)
you have to support each
Identifyreason.
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 WhatWhy-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 Teachers Strategy Guide by Steve Peha at http://www.ttms.org

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