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BELL RINGER / EXIT TICKET

Brain Burst

Grade:

K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Uses:

Creative Expression and Communication
Check for Understanding
/  Self-Assessment and Reflection

Materials:

Brain Burst handout and writing utensils of two different colors
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Description

Students write freely about everything they recall about a given topic.

Preparation

Select a central theme, topic, or concept from your current unit of study.
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Implementation

Distribute a Brain Burst handout to each student. Instruct students to reflect individually on their knowledge related to the topic and to write down everything they remember in 2 minutes. Then invite students to pair-share, adding key ideas from their peers in a new color on their handouts.

Teaching Tips

  • Model the brain burst technique to ensure students are familiar with it before using it as an exit ticket.
  • To extend the activity, have students review their work and categorize their ideas and consider connecting the topic to an article from Britannica School or Britannica Library.
  • For younger learners, provide simple writing prompts to activate their thinking before starting the brain burst exercise, or encourage them to draw instead of write.

Supporting All Learners

For students needing support: Consider adding sentence frames or visuals connected to your current unit of study to the handout.

For advanced learners: Encourage students to add details and supporting evidence to their ideas and to explain how different ideas are connected.

For multilingual learners: Invite students to complete the task in their home languages alongside English.

Note: Provide accommodations and modifications based on your learners’ needs to ensure full participation.

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