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Minute List

Grade:

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

Uses:

Review of Content or Skill
/  Preview and Engage
Check for Understanding
/  Self-Assessment and Reflection

Materials:

Minute List handout, display, selected topic, and writing utensils
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Description

Students list everything they know about a topic in one minute, and then build on their knowledge through partner and class sharing.

Preparation

Select a topic that connects to your learning objective, theme, or unit of study.
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Implementation

Display or write on the board a topic for students to think about. Distribute the Minute List handout, and provide one minute for students to independently list everything they know about the topic. Then have students pair-share their lists and add any new ideas they learned from their partners. Finally, create a class list by having each pair contribute one unique item not yet mentioned, continuing around the room until all new ideas are shared.

Teaching Tips

  • Before students do this activity with content-specific topics, model the process with a familiar topic (such as pizza or dogs), thinking aloud to show how to generate and list ideas quickly.
  • For early learners, have students draw their ideas instead of writing lists. They can then verbally share their drawings with partners and then the class (while you record their spoken ideas on a class chart).
  • Consider adding a fourth section to the handout, “What I Learned from Britannica,” where students can add new knowledge after reading more about the topic in an article from Britannica School or Britannica Library or an image from ImageQuest.

Supporting All Learners

For students needing additional support: Provide a word bank or visual cues, and consider allowing students to draw alongside their writing.

For advanced learners: Challenge them to categorize their listed items and explain connections between the categories.

For multilingual learners: Welcome responses in both English and students’ home languages, and provide key vocabulary in multiple languages with visuals.

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

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