LESSON 7.2
Brainstorm the Troublemaker

Grades 1-3

Task 7.2.1 – Small Group

Decide if the RH ideas below are Old or New:

  1. I had a problem with a treasure chest I found.                                  
  2. I had a problem with gold in a treasure chest I found.
  3. I had a problem with jewelry in a treasure chest I found.

Funneling

As you learned earlier, funneling means finding a more specific idea.

O + O: I had a problem with dirt I found in a treasure chest.

O + O: I had a problem with brown dirt I found in a treasure chest.

O + O: I had a problem with ugly dirt I found in a treasure chest.

O + N: I had a problem with ancient Egyptian dirt I found in a treasure chest.

Task 7.2.2 – Tandem

Hero Verb Phrase Troublemaker
I had a problem with a green snake in a treasure chest.
I had a problem with a poisonous snake in a treasure chest.
I had a problem with a bracelet in a treasure chest.
I had a problem with shrieking dirt in a treasure chest.
I had a problem with an invisible snake in a treasure chest.
I had a problem with a tiny flying house in a treasure chest.

Combining

Decide if the idea in the right-hand (hero) slot is Old or New

Combining

Combining ideas is an excellent way to brainstorm New Ideas.  For example:

Task 7.2.3 – Tandem

A. Combine the first two ideas into a third.

B. Combine the first three ideas into a third.

C. Combine the first three ideas into a third.

Task 7.2.4 – Small Group

Your teacher will divide you into groups of 3-4. Each group gets a recorder (or use a phone). Your teacher will read Story Starter A to everyone.

When your teacher says “Go,” brainstorm ideas for the story. Number each idea as you go: “Idea 1… Idea 2…” You don’t need to explain them. Just brainstorm as fast as you can!

You have 3 minutes. To win a prize, your group needs at least 15 ideas, and each person must share at least 2 ideas. Remember: there are no silly ideas!

Story Starter A

While using a metal detector at the beach, you find an old metal bottle in the sand. Inside is a treasure map.

The map leads you to a state park, where you dig up a small box.

What’s in the box, and what problem does it cause?