Activity: Get your Brain Juices Flowing
One way to get students to examine different aspects of a broad term before a discussion.
1. Write all the words and phrases that come to mind when you hear this word. (2 min.)
Example:
Pedagogy
Student vs.
Teacher
Misunderstanding
Rules
Plagiarism
Turn it in
Anxiety
Learning
Opportunity
Intentional or
Unintentional
Procrastination
2. Pick three of the words or phrases you came up with to share with the group as the facilitator
records them. After everyone has shared, the facilitator selects terms from the list and assigns
one to each student. (Writing the terms on sticky notes and handing them out may help with
this step.)
3. Draw/ Sketch your term (abstract or literal). (3 min.)
 What images come to mind when you hear this word?
4. Abstract poetry- three words (1 min.)
 Select and write down three words that capture this word or phrase.
5. Freewrite (2 min.)
 Write what ever comes to mind about your word.
6. What I don’t know? (1 min. for both 6 and 7)
 What is something you don’t know about this word or phrase? Record your question.
7. What would you like to know?
 What is something you are curious about when it comes to this word or phrase? Record
your question.