Brainstorm to Develop Supporting Details

1
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.
• Baseball
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Football
• Swimming

Draw pictures of ideas as they come to mind.
Example Prompt students to write about a sport
or outdoor activity. 1. 4. 2. 5.
3.
Brainstorm to Develop Supporting Details
Draw pictures of ideas related to the
topic. Example Playing Basketball 1. 4.
2. 5. 3.

• Write a list of ideas related to the topic.
• Example Playing Basketball
• Basketball court behind the school
• Playing basketball at recess
• Choosing teams
• Keoni and Mekana on my team
• Shooting a basket

2
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
• Draw a bubble and put the subject of the
  writing in the center.
• Think about things related to the topic. Add
  bubbles radiating from the center bubble.
• Continue adding and connecting bubbles until
  the space is full of related ideas.
• Inspire Sentence Building
• Encourage students to describe their pictures
  using complete sentences.
• Help students create sentences that include lists
  and conjunctions.
• 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
Details
Topic
3
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
• Draw a bubble and put the subject of the
  writing in the center.
• Think about things related to the topic. Add
  bubbles radiating from the center bubble.
• Continue adding and connecting bubbles until
  the space is full of related ideas.
• Inspire Sentence Building
• Encourage students to create sentences that
  include lists and conjunctions.
• Help students organize and categorize their
  ideas.
• 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.
Details
Reasons
Topic
4
Bubble Maps and Webs A Prewriting Strategy
Step 2. Add ideas 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. Example
Brainstorm Topics and Ideas Did your teacher
give you a topic? Will your teacher let you
choose your topic? 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 Make a list of ideas about
reading books. What books do you like to
read?
Write ideas about your topic. Use lines to
connect your ideas to your topic.
Write or draw a list of topics that you want to
write about.
Where The Wild Things Are
Reason
Basketball
Reading
Swimming
I like to read books.
Topic

• Step 3. Add details
• 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

Write details about your ideas. Use lines to
connect your details to your ideas.
Where the Wild Things Are
How I Became A Pirate
Amelia Bedelia
I like the monsters.
I like Max.
Where The Wild Things Are
Details
Reason
I like to read books.
Topic
5
Step 2. Why do you think it?
The reasons you have to support your opinion.
Think about your topic/opinion statement and
brainstorm reasons why you feel the way you do
about it.
Write the reasons you have to support your
opinion statement in the Why column of 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.
Use the completed What-Why-How Strategy Form to
organize your ideas on the Essay Organizer Form.
Your audience needs the evidence to understand
your opinion.
There is an Essay Organizer Form for either a 5
or 6 paragraph essay.
Adapted from The Writing Teachers Strategy
Guide by Steve Peha at http//www.ttms.org