Time needed: 5 to 10 min
Why? Students will be forced to discover what they know about a new topic already or to recall knowledge after a taught subject.
When? This method can be used before a new topic or after. Before the new topic the teacher can discover what students know already. After a taught subject the teacher will be able to control the absorbed knowledge.
How? The students have to say just one word about the topic which they spontaneous get in their mind when they think at the taught subject, always just using one letter of the alphabet starting with A. After all letters, or most letters are complete, the students can discuss about their choices and the connections to the topic.
Any risks? In bigger groups it will be after a while monotone, then it is better to divide the class in groups and let them find differences in their list and let them explain the different word samples.
