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 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 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 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
Topic
Example: Make a list of ideas about reading
books. What books do you like to read?
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;
Think about your topic/opinion
statement and brainstorm reasons
why you feel the way you do about it.
__can describe in great detail;
__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-WhyHow 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