Session 3: Brainstorm Prompts

PLAY Mentor Story Share

Purpose: To emphasize the importance of obstacles in stories and for mentors to model vulnerability for the writers.

Instructions:

1. Share a story with the group about a time you had a goal and an obstacle got in the way. 2. In your group, share the first version of the story, which will include character, setting, goal, and a part of the resolution. Just share the goal you had, where you were, who you were at the time this happened in their life, and whether you achieved your goal. Do not share the obstacle that stood in the way. 3. After sharing, ask your writers what they thought of the story. a. Was it interesting? b. Is there anything else that can be added to make it a more engaging story? 4. Then reshare the story with the obstacle. Include how the obstacle got in your way, how it made you feel, and how you dealt with the obstacle to try to achieve the goal. 5. After sharing the last version of their story, ask their writers what was different about this version and how it created a richer story for them (the audience)?

The Thing Is

Purpose: To help and encourage writers to brainstorm and share their goals and obstacles.

Instructions:

1. Writers will go to page 10 in their workbooks and review the 3 goals they brainstormed last week. 2. In their groups, they will each share their goals to the group and then say “but, the thing

is...

” and then describe 1 thing that has gotten in the way of their goal. 3. The teacher will model this step for the group first. a. Share structure: [Goal] but, the thing is [obstacle(s)/thing(s) that get in their way]. b. Example (if needed for clarity): “I really want to work for Netflix when I grow up, but, the thing is lots of people want to work there and I don’t think I am confident enough to get a job there. ” i. Goal: To work for Netflix ii. Obstacle(s): A lot of people want to work there, lack of confidence 4. Before starting to share sharing, have the group come up with a word or phrase that everyone is going to say after someone shares to support the person who just shared. a. It could be something like “I hear that!” or “I feel you!” . 5. Your teacher may model this game first. Then, begin the game in your group by sharing your goals and potential obstacles. 6. Facilitate the rest of the game so that each writer has a chance to share.

LEARN / CREATE

Use this time to help your writers think about different times in their lives when they felt misunderstood. Students will sit with their notebooks in their group and you will call out the prompts, giving time in between for students to jot down notes. Ask your group to jot down anything that comes to mind about that time.

Brainstorming Worksheet

Prompts

There was something you really wanted and someone else didn’t understand why it was important to you.

Someone wanted you to do something you didn’t want to do and didn’t understand why you didn’t want to do it.

You felt like you got in trouble for something that wasn’t really your fault.

You felt like someone wasn’t really listening to you.

You had a hard time understanding yourself.

Your Idea

Once complete, ask your group to consider the following questions. ● What 1-3 prompts did you have the most to write about when brainstorming? ● What kinds of thoughts and feelings came up when thinking about those experiences? ● Was there an experience that you had the most memories and feelings about? ● What experience do you want to write about more? Circle the experiences that you have chosen.

SHARE

Writers Reflect ● Ask students to finalize which prompt they want to expand upon and fill out the prompt below on page 12 of their Writers Workbook. ● Share with a partner if time.

Writing Prompt Goal

How you view yourself and how you want to be viewed

Obstacle

How others viewed you differently or misunderstood you