Lesson Plan

Brainstorm Blueprint

Students will brainstorm various strategies to start tasks, evaluate their clarity and ease, and select the best starter approach to improve task initiation and engagement.

Teaching task initiation equips Special Education students with tools to overcome start-up challenges, fostering independence, focus, and confidence in learning activities.

Audience

Special Education Class (Grades 2–4)

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Collaborative brainstorming and individual strategy choice.

Materials

Starter Strategy Showcase, How Do You Begin? Brainstorm, Sticky Notes, Whiteboard And Markers, Projector Or Smartboard, and Timer

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print one copy of How Do You Begin? Brainstorm per student
Load and review Starter Strategy Showcase slides
Arrange classroom with whiteboard and markers
Gather sticky notes and set up timer

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

Explain that today’s focus is task initiation: how we start work efficiently
Ask students to share times they feel ‘stuck’ when beginning tasks
Emphasize that having starter strategies can help everyone begin more smoothly

Step 2

Strategy Showcase

5 minutes

Display Starter Strategy Showcase on the projector
Walk through 3–4 example starter strategies (e.g., drawing a quick sketch, writing one sentence, reading instructions aloud)
Prompt students with questions: “Which feels easiest?” “Which have you tried before?”

Step 3

Group Brainstorm

7 minutes

Invite the class to call out additional ways to begin tasks
Write each idea on the whiteboard or on sticky notes
Group similar ideas and highlight the top 3–5 based on clarity and ease
Encourage all voices, offering support to students who need prompting

Step 4

Worksheet Completion

5 minutes

Distribute How Do You Begin? Brainstorm to each student
Ask students to select two starter strategies from the group list
Have them illustrate or describe how they would use each strategy
Circulate to assist and prompt elaboration

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Reflection

1 minute

Invite 2–3 students to share which strategy they’ll try first tomorrow
Remind the class to refer to their chosen strategy when they feel stuck

Slide Deck

Starter Strategy Showcase

We all get stuck sometimes when starting work.
Here are a few ways to get going!

Introduce the concept of starter strategies. Show an image of a student thinking and say: “We all get stuck sometimes when starting work. Today, you’ll learn a few ways to get going!”

1. Quick Sketch

• Grab a pencil or crayon.
• Spend 30 seconds drawing anything related to your task.
• Use the sketch to spark your next steps.

Display an image of a child doing a quick sketch. Explain: “This is Quick Sketch. Grab a pencil or crayon and draw for 30 seconds. Use your sketch to spark ideas.”

2. One-Sentence Jump

• Open your notebook or worksheet.
• Write one simple sentence about the task.
• Even a small start can lead to big progress.

Show an icon of a notebook. Model writing one sentence. Say: “Even one line can build momentum—let’s try!”

3. Read Aloud

• Read the instructions or question out loud.
• Hearing the words can make the task clearer.
• Then choose where to start.

Display an image of a student reading aloud. Read a sample instruction aloud and invite students to do the same.

4. Talk It Out

• Find a partner or ask the teacher.
• Describe what you need to do.
• Use the conversation to plan your first step.

Show an icon of two students talking. Ask: “How could talking through a task with a friend help you?”

Let’s Reflect

• Which strategy feels easiest?
• Which have you tried before?
• Which one will you try next?

Have students turn to a partner and answer the questions aloud. Then call on volunteers to share.

Worksheet

How Do You Begin? Brainstorm

Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________

1. Class Starter Strategies

Write the 3–5 starter strategies our class brainstormed today:

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________

2. Strategy 1

Name of Strategy: ________________________________________

How will you use this strategy to start your work?

Draw yourself using this strategy:

3. Strategy 2