Brainstorming

Often underestimated brainstorming is a wonderful tool for children to explore

thinking and ideas. These are light-hearted ideas but you could adapt them to
your topic.
It will go through a cycle of mundane to quite exciting ideas if you consider rules. If done in small
groups it can maximise participation. Particularly useful for like minds if you cluster a group of bright
children together.
What are the things that make our classroom a
Year 1 and 2 •
special place?
• How many ways can you think of to use
• -a scooter ?
• -a concrete mixer?
• List all the things you would never want for a
present.
• How could you make our school environment
better?
• Things that grow? One thing that doesn't grow?
Now in what ways could that thing grow?
Teacher scribes. Tick any ideas that are repeated.
• Use any ideas from above plus...
Year 3 and 4 • Why is the sea like a lion?
• Why is colour like a dream?
• Give new ideas for using
1. Room 3
2. a lemon
3. a pet cricket.
• How would you improve
- our parking area?
- people’s manners?
Scribbler Method: Each person has a pile of scrap
paper. They all write down their ideas call them out
and throw them into the middle. Categorising or
ranking could follow.
Use any of the ideas from above plus....
Year 5 and 6 1. Give new names for the Black Caps (or other
team)?
2. How are the Oscars like the clouds?
3. All you know about Waitangi Day.
4. Things that have no power?
5. What colour is Saturday, why?

Teacher Scribe
Scribbler Method
Brain Writing