Novel Ideas Only

Novel Ideas Only Checklist

1. CLASSROOM SETUP: Determine how many student groups there will be, 3-4 students per group, what resource will be used to show each group’s work (anchor chart, legal size paper, etc..), and where the groups will be in the room. 

2. DETERMINE TOPIC: Determine a topic to be used in this activity.  The topic can be academic or non-academic.  

3. STUDENT WORK: After dividing students into groups of 3-4, ask students to determine group roles.  The amount of roles will determine how many students are in the group.  Ask groups to list everything they know about a given topic.  Set a time limit for this task.  

4. SHARE OUT: 

   1. 1. Have the reporter for each group stand.  

      2. First Share: 

         1. 1. The first group reporter will share all of the ideas they wrote down.  

            2. Instruct the other group’s to listen carefully to each idea that is shared to ensure that no groups repeat information already provided (in other words, to ensure that groups share only novel ideas).  

            3. Instruct each group to check off ideas from their list that are the same as group 1 and to add any new ideas to their groups list if it's an idea that they did not originally list.  

      3. Second Share:

         1. 1. Group 2 will share next.  They will only share ideas that are NOT checked off of their list (previously shared).  These are the Novel Ideas.  

            2. The other groups will check off any novel ideas group 2 shares from their list and add any new ideas not originally on the list.  

      4. Third Share:

         1. 1. Group 3 will then share only ideas NOT checked off of their list.  Other groups will check off or add new ideas shared by group 3. This will repeat for each group until all groups have shared.  Each reporter will sit after sharing. 

• Provide group role cards with explicit responsibilities for each role.

• Have students individually brainstorm prior to joining the group. 

• Use this to determine a theme for a story. 

• Combine with 4-corners.  Allow students to divide themselves into four groups based on their perceived level of understanding or mastery of a question or concept (1 basic to 4 highest level).  Have students brainstorm ideas and list questions they have.  Each group will share beginning with group 1 using the above process. Return to group 1 at the end to determine if all questions have been answered.  If not, discuss remaining questions.