LESSON 2.1 Brainstorm New Variables G4-6

LESSON 2.1
Brainstorm “New” Ideas

Grades 4-6

The Key to Good Writing

Choosing an interesting subject is the most important part of writing.

Brainstorm for Quantity, not Quality

Come up with as many ideas as possible. There are no silly ideas.

Task 2.1.1 – Class

If you could be any wild animal, what would you be? Why?

  • Write your answer on a piece of paper. Don’t worry about spelling.
  • Your teacher then will have each of you read your answer.

Task 2.1.2 – Class

Grade the ideas, using the following grades:

A = Most adults would not think of this and are likely to say “Wow!”
B = Most adults would not think of this.
C = Most adults would think of this.

Funneling

Funneling means taking a B or C idea and making it more specific.

This helps you find a subject that will interest adults, who are usually busy.

They don’t want to read about things they already know.

Do not use descriptive words, such as—

Horse
Wild horse
Small wild horse
Small brown wild horse

It’s still just a horse!

Correct funneling goes like this:

Horse
Wild horse
Shetland horse
Mongolian horse

Or—

Bird
Robin
Cuckoo
Shoebill

Most people, however, don’t know enough about horses or birds to do that. Therefore—

Task 2.1.3 – Small Groups

Funnel down your ideas until you find ones that your readers probably don’t know much about, AND would find interesting.

Use the internet to help you. Try searching for things like:

  • Unique animals
  • Rare animals
  • Strange animals

Your Own Animal?

This writing will be about a wild animal.
So pets are not allowed.

Task 2.1.4 – Small Groups

Grade the ideas, using the following grades:

A = Most adults would not think of this and are likely to say “Wow!”

B = Most adults would not think of this.

C = Most adults would think of this.

Not Enough A Ideas?

If you have fewer than five A ideas, do one or more of these:

  • Brainstorm more ideas.
  • Funnel your ideas down further.

Task 2.1.5 – Small Groups

Use a Decision Table once you have at least five A ideas.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total

[There is room for 10 ideas. You probably will have less. Delete rows as needed.]

Let’s say that you have six A ideas. Enter them in Column A.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

List the animal you like best under Column B. Give it a 5.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total
A.
B. 5
C.
D.
E.
F.

Give the animal you like least a 1 in Column B. Give it a 5.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total
A. 1
B. 5
C.
D.
E.
F.

Give the animal you like second best a 4 in Column B.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total
A. 1
B. 5
C.
D.
E.

Give the animal you like second least a 2 in Column B.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total
A. 1
B. 5
C.
D. 2
E. 4

Give the remaining animal a 3 in Column B. Make sure no number is duplicated.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total
A. 1
B. 5
C. 3
D. 2
E. 4

Do the same thing for Column C.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total
A. 1 4
B. 5 3
C. 3 1
D. 2 5
E. 4 2

Add up the rows and enter the number in Column D.

Column A
Wild animal		 Column B
Which do you like best?		 Column C
Which do you think an adult will like best?		 Column D
Total
A. 1 4 5
B. 5 3 8
C. 3 1 4
D. 2 5 7
E. 4 2 6

In case of a tie, flip a coin.