Divide the students into groups of three or four. Choose one topic per group to brainstorm about. Write each topic on a piece of chart paper, and display the topic papers in different areas of the classroom. Give each group a different colored marker.
Explain that every group will begin at a different topic station. Allow two to three minutes for the groups to discuss their topics. Instruct the class to write down all their knowledge of the topic on the chart paper with the colored marker.
Direct the students to rotate to the next station when time is up and repeat the brainstorming process. Make sure the students understand that each group must write their ideas using their group's own colored marker.
Gather the class together to review and summarize the ideas on each topic after the groups have visited all the stations.
Gather the class in front of your chart paper. This sort of activity involving the entire class works particularly well for preschool or young elementary students.
Suggest a topic, or begin to tell a story. For example, say you saw a group of children in the park carrying balloons. Draw a picture of a bunch of balloons on the chart paper. The illustration provides a springboard for the children's imagination.
Ask the students why they think the children have balloons, what colors the balloons are, where the children are going and what events they might go to where they see balloons. Be sure to write word-for-word what the children say. Children need to see their exact ideas in print to make a speech/print connection.
Draw a large circle in the middle of a piece of chart paper. Word webs provide a quick and easy way to jump-start creative thinking. Add lines or spokes radiating from the circle in all directions. Draw smaller circles at the end of each spoke.
Write the main idea for brainstorming in the large circle. Begin modeling the process by discussing one or two words related to the topic and writing them in the smaller circles.
Encourage students to generate their own words. Add their words to the web. Students can also use individual graphic organizers with webs that are already drawn out.