Step 1: Brainstorming Ideas

This should be a fast, free-flowing listing of terms, words, phrases that you have for your mini-unit of instruction. It is and should be considered an initial list of ideas. It will definitely be revised and changed as you continue the process. Therefore, make no restrictions on your self at this stage.

Here is an example of an initial topic brainstorming session for an Earth science unit:

• faults and cracking of the earth's crust
• earthquakes
• P-waves, S-waves, L-waves
• how earthquake waves move
• epicenter
• how to locate an epicenter
• damage caused by earthquakes and other natural disasters
• measuring the motion of the earth's crust
• seismographs
• field trip to a seismic station
• using the computer to measure earthquake waves or to simulate earthquakes
• plate tectonics
• the rock cycle
• precautions people can take to lessen damage and saves lives

Working in a dyad or triad, select a topic area and brainstorm a list of initial ideas for a potential teaching unit on the topic. Identify one of the members of the group as a recorder who will record the list on a large sheet of chart paper.