Friendly Idea Webs

Create idea webs about your classmates. Figure out who webbed whom!

• 1.

  Divide into small groups where each person has a dry-erase board. You will create idea webs about each other with Crayola Dry-Erase Markers. As a group, decide on a color coding system. For example, ideas written in red could represent favorite foods. Choose one category for each color of marker.

• 2.

  You have 15 minutes to create a web about one person in the group. Choose which person will be webbed first. Think of words that fit the categories to describe the person. Draw them secretly on your boards!

• 3.

  At the end of the time, set out all the boards for everyone to look at. Who are the webs about? Cut slips of paper with Crayola Scissors. With Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils, write the names on slips of paper. Place the "votes" in front of the web that you think describes this person.

• 4.

  Tally the choices. Analyze the results. What descriptions were unmistakable? Which ones could have been several people? Which ones were misleading? Why? What did you learn about your friends?

Benefits

• Students become familiar with the concept of creating an idea web.
• Students determine a color-coding system that their group will follow (based on the eight colors of Crayola Dry-Erase Markers).
• Students work in small groups to record unique information about one individual.
• Students interpret and analyze the accuracy and details of their webs to better understand diversity in their classroom.

Adaptations

• Create similar webs for characters in stories, historical figures, famous people, artists, musicians, presidents, or any other people you are learning about.
• Write your autobiography based on the webs that describe you. What new things did you learn about yourself from your friends?
• Have fun with this activity at home with family members.
• Assessment: Students will be successful if they have each created a web about a peer and have identified webs about other students in the class.