LESSON 3.4
Grade the Ideas
Grades 1 - 3
How to Choose the Best Idea for a Story
Grade brainstormed ideas using these grades:
A = adult strangers probably wouldn’t have thought of it AND are likely to say “Wow!”
B = adult strangers probably wouldn’t have thought of it.
C = adult strangers probably would think of it.
Task 3.4.1 – Tandem
Pretend you found the following items in a buried treasure chest. Dr. G says there are:
- 3 A ideas
- 1 B idea
- 6 C ideas
Can you and your group figure out what grade each idea got? Write it down on the right column.
| Item | Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feathers | |
| 2 | A tiny man | |
| 3 | A mirror | |
| 4 | A tiny man of mirrors | |
| 5 | A pirate’s parrot | |
| 6 | A pirate’s zombie parrot | |
| 7 | Scarves | |
| 8 | Scarves that murder people | |
| 9 | Insects | |
| 10 | Cockroaches |
Task 3.4.2 – Small Group
Brainstorm at least 10 more ideas about what is in the box in the buried treasure chest. The team with the most ideas will win a prize. Each team member must give at least two ideas. You have three minutes.
Task 3.4.3 – Small Group
As a group, grade each idea. Do not argue.
You teacher will make corrections to the grades after you have graded at least 20 ideas,
How many As do you have?
How many Bs do you have?
How many Cs do you have?
Task 3.4.4 – Small Group
If your class does not have at least five A ideas, then—
- Do more brainstorming
- Funnel a B or C idea, or
- Combine ideas
Then add these latest ideas to your list. Grade them.