When
it’s time to start a nonfiction writing project, students can use their Idea
Incubator list as a starting point. If students are choosing their own topic,
they may be able to pull an idea directly from their list.

But
even if you assign a topic that aligns with your content area
curriculum, a list of facts, ideas, and questions is still a valuable tool.
Working alone or with a partner, students can search for a common thread among
the items on their list and brainstorm ways to apply that to the whole-class topic
you’ve assigned. I’ll share more ideas about how students can make this sort of
 “umbrella” topic their own next week.