Shutting Down Brainstorm Session Saboteurs
The purpose of a good Brainstorming session is to have a shower of ideas from which to choose. I like to use Brainstorming when I’m asking the class for input on a project rubric, project topic ideas, and possible endings for the novel we’re reading.
Like anything else, good procedures make the Brainstorming session go smoothly. I set down the procedures early in the year and use a transparency to remind the class of my expectations every time we Brainstorm. Sure, it’s redundant, but I think that the sessions go more smoothly when everyone understands what to do.
Here are my rules:
- No self-editing. You have an idea? Great! Share it.
- No peer-editing. You think someone’s idea is lousy? Keep your criticism to yourself.
- Be wild and crazy. Sometimes the best ideas come from the wacky suggestions.
- Use springboards. Use other people’s ideas to create new ones.
The problem is that students’ negative comments still slip out. I’m guilty of it myself, especially when a student suggests something really crazy. But comments like, “That’s not new,” or “Yes, but…,” or, “That won’t work” aren’t helpful to the Brainstorming process.
To shut down the Brainstorm session saboteurs, I list positive comments at the bottom of the Brainstorming Procedures transparency and review those with the class. It’s not very helpful to list unacceptable comments on the transparency. Listing unacceptable comments leads to an absurdist discussion where teens will suggest other unacceptable comments and try to out-do one another. It’s better to bypass that game and stick to positive comments.
Here are some comments that make the positive comments list: great suggestion, that’s original, I like that, and very smart.
At first, the positive comment list is fodder for my classroom jokers. They’ll choose a positive comment and say it in a stilted voice or imitate my own voice. That’s fine. The words are good and laughter is positive.
What’s better is that these students are unwittingly on my side.
When a class member tries to sabotage the Brainstorming session, I can rely on one of my jokers to gleefully correct him. It’s terrific.
So, how do you shut down the Brainstorm session saboteurs? Do you have a Brainstorming method to share? Please add a comment to the discussion!
Do you have a question for the editor? Do you have a suggestion for a post you’d like to read? Are you interested in writing a guest post? E-mail editor Diane Trim.
Photo credits:
Stream of Consciousness: jurvetson / Steve Jurvetson on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Everybody’s a Joker: LaserGuided / [n|ck] on Flickr.com Creative Commons
4 comments ↓
Deb
08.26.10 at 8:22 am
Love the idea of the Positive comment list. I can really see it working
What’s with all those flicker pictures? They just waste time.
Diane
08.27.10 at 9:16 am
Hi, Guest.
Thanks for the comment! I’ve added the photos because it breaks up the gray blocks of text. Some I think are kind of funny.
Thanks for the feedback on the photos. I appreciate it! We meet as a team next week and I’ll add this to our agenda – see what others think, too.
Diane
Diane
09.01.10 at 6:46 am
I agree, Mike: some people have a disruptive agenda. I also like asking for positives. I can see that drowning out the disruptive agenda, too.
Thanks for the feedback on the photos. I think they're fun.
Diane
Michael
09.01.10 at 9:14 am
Some people walk in with an agenda to disrupt others.
To redirect-I ask for two pluses and a wish. The two positives always blanket the growth/wish comment. Eh, what are you going to do?
I appreciate the pictures.
Mike
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