Exclusion Brainstorming
Learning Strategy #13 By Mackenzie Miller
What is Exclusion Brainstorming?
- Determines what students already know about a topic by activating background knowledge
- Students are given a list of words and phrases, and are asked to decide whether they do or do not relate to the topic that they are discussing
- After learning about the topic, students figure out whether or not they put the words into the correct category
Why Use Exclusion Brainstorming?
- Prereading Strategy
- Prereading activates background knowledge and introduces key vocabulary
- Provides the students with a goal because they have something to look for when learning about the topic at hand
How to use exclusion brainstorming
1. Prepare a word list
2. Read the list with students.
3. Learn about the topic.
4. Check the list.
when to use exclusion brainstorming
Because this instructional activity is a prereading activity, this students would do the brainstorming before they learn about the topic, and then go back over their list afterwards. For example, if a class was reading a book about the Revolutionary War, they would be given a list of words that either had to do with the war or didn't, and be asked to figure out which words went under which category.
Common Core State Standards for ELA: Exclusion Brainstorming
- Students draw on information from background knowledge and multiple print and digital sources.
- Students determine the meaning of academic vocabulary as they participate in exclusion brainstorming activities.