Brainstorming is one of the most important skills we can learn in classrooms. It allows us to explore ideas, generate original thoughts and work together as a team. However, many teachers only spend time on brainstorming techniques or overlook this important class activity altogether. By showing our students how to develop an open mind and listen to others, we can encourage brainstorming in our classroom. In this article, I will show five ways we can support brainstorming in our classrooms. These five ways will inspire you to get out of your seat and engage with other students and faculty members.
Supporting the Classroom Environment Our green environment is a huge inspiration for us to promote the development of brainstorm ideas as a class. Teaching kindness helps us to foster a culture of inquiry. Studies have shown that a laboring class, that practices teaching kindness and asks questions, works better than one that doesn't practice teaching kindness. So, when you are designing classroom settings, be sure that you plan for the possibility of a laboring student.
Encouraging Group Activity Creativity When a group is working on something nice, they tend to think more clearly. Working together in groups can foster creativity and imagination. When group members feel like they are being thought of by everyone, they are more willing to explore new ideas. Furthermore, teachers should help students understand why a brainstorming session is beneficial for them. Sometimes it may be something nice for someone else, but it will be a great idea for you and your class.
Supporting Audience Awareness Makes sure that everyone is aware that the lesson is intended for brainstorm ideas as a class is important. Classrooms should encourage listening to all learners, especially those who may have different perspectives. Encourage group reflections to make sure that each student understands their role in the lesson and what the teacher is trying to accomplish. Teachers also need to make sure that they are teaching appropriate topics and that they are not teaching things that could be offensive to anyone present. If a lesson can't be covered with individual reflection time, find out what the next step is going to be.
Reading Activity For many people, reading is a good way to get students involved and think critically. A weekly reading activity can provide an excellent opportunity to provide meaningful discussion time. The weekly activity should also allow the students to give their own input during the reading. Some teachers may also want to start a reading journal where students can write down their reactions and suggestions for the upcoming week. Using a variety of formats, such as journals, stories, or questions, will help students get ideas about reading from multiple sources.
A crying baby empathy worksheet can help teach students how to incorporate their feelings into the story they are reading. This worksheet is relatively easy to make. Take two sheets of paper and punch holes on each one. On the first sheet, label it "I feel" and on the second "You feel."
Classroom Activity A good thing for classroom activity would be a trip to a local bookstore. Find an interesting book to read, such as A Christmas Story, which tells the story of two families in the 1940s. After reading, have the class read the Christmas story through. Encourage them to write down a couple of things they liked and disliked about the story while reading it. Then, ask the students to rate how the book was written on the paper, the characters, and the situation they found themselves in.
Finally, make sure that you have a big enough sticky notes for all the pages that came up during the entire semester. When class is over, have the students take a few minutes to clean up the table and gather up the notes. The teacher wants to ensure that the classroom is lively and alive, especially during the holidays when the kids are more likely to come to the classroom and participate. To encourage participation and further Brainstorm Ideas as a Classroom, you should include fun activities, games, and even appreciation nights with goodies.