I learned this extremely versatile teaching technique from Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov. Basically, you assign a writing prompt. Everyone writes the answer. Then, as many people as you choose are invited to share. Sometimes I have each person share their written response. Other times, when there’s a big group, I assign a group or zone leader to read the responses of the people in a group and summarize them. You may even choose to keep responses secret in the interest of time or for other reasons.
If you will be having a group leader read answers or if you will have the class share their responses, explain that ahead of time so that students can adjust their writing appropriately.
You can use this technique to establish what students already know about a topic, so that you know where to begin a group discussion. Use it to help students find ways to apply a passage to their lives. It can help students share a growing testimony. Everyone who listens to the other responses will see how the gospel affects others.
Great for: Giving every person a turn, Eliciting thoughtful responses, Learning to share feelings, Determining student level of understanding, Lesson opener
Class size: Any class size
Helps Students: SHARE feelings, thoughts, or personal experiences, SEARCH the scriptures or text, SEE a gospel principle in action
Prep Time: No advance preparation necessary
Student Age: Any age
Equipment needed: paper and pen for everyone
