Purpose

This routine invites learners to uncover their initial thoughts, ideas, questions, and understandings about a topic, and then, after engaging in learning experiences and experiencing some instruction, to connect these to new thinking and ideas

You will complete this work in a “Learning Journal”. This can be on paper or electronic.

You will be given a prompt and asked to record your thoughts about it in three phases. Do not overthink your responses!

Freely brainstorm your initial thoughts, there is truly no right or wrong response.

Title and date your entry. We will be coming back to these entries to complete the “bridge” after you learn some more about this topic.

Start the Bridge

Phase 1: Record 3 words

Quickly write three words that come to mind when you think of the prompt.

Phase 2: Ask 2 questions

Write two questions that you were wondering about when thinking about the prompt.

Phase 3: Develop an analogy or metaphor

Write an analogy or metaphor that encapsulates your ideas about this prompt

Analogy: a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification. * a thing which is comparable to something else in significant respects. Examples include:

  • “works of art were seen as an analogy for works of nature”
  • “as light as a feather” *“As quiet as a mouse”

Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable * a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, especially something abstract. Examples include:

  • “The amounts of money being lost by the company were enough to make it a metaphor for an industry that was teetering”
  • “She is doing a tightrope walk with her grades this semester.”

Return to your Bridge

Focus is on comparing prior understanding to current thinking

3 words

  • Review your prior entries for 3 words.
  • What 3 words come to mind now?
  • Write down why they have, or have not changed? It could be a change from the beginning, of the midterm of the semester.

2 questions

  • Review your prior set of questions.
  • Have they been answered yet? You don’t need to write down the answer, just state if they have been answered.
  • Write down any new questions that has arisen.

Complete the Bridge

Focus is on comparing prior understanding to current thinking AND realizing changes in thoughts across the semseter

3 words

  • Review your prior entries for 3 words.
  • What 3 words come to mind now?
  • Write down why they have, or have not changed? It could be a change from the beginning, of the midterm of the semester.

2 questions

  • Review your prior set of questions.
  • Have they been answered yet? You don’t need to write down the answer, just state if they have been answered.
  • Write down any new questions that has arisen.

1 metaphor/analogy

  • Review your initial analogy.
  • Do you need to revise it to reflect your current thinking about the prompt now?
  • What has or has not changed?