Brain Bubbles Writing System: Weekly Quick Writes & Planning Routine

Build writing stamina, confidence, and planning skills with a consistent weekly writing routine your students will look forward to.

What’s Included

• 60 quick write prompts = 180 premade slides (3-slides per prompt)
• 3 writing genres: Narrative, Informational, Opinion
• 3-part slides for every prompt: Plan, Write, Reflect
• Editable slides to add your own prompts
• Printable notebook covers
• Video of me modeling a quick write lesson

IMPORTANT: GOOGLE APPS DOWNLOAD

This resource is a Google Apps™ download and will ask for access to your Google Drive to make a copy after purchase. Some school districts block external Google access, so you may need to download using a personal Google account instead. If you have trouble accessing the files, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to help.

Ever notice how students can successfully fill out a printed graphic organizer… but still struggle to actually start writing?

This routine uses Brain Bubbles (mind mapping/ bubble maps) as a simple, consistent planning strategy that helps students organize their thinking before writing. Instead of introducing a new graphic organizer for every genre or assignment, students learn one flexible system they can use all year long.

The goal is simple: build writing fluency, confidence, stamina, and independence through consistent low-pressure writing practice.

Students begin with shorter timed writing sessions and gradually build stamina over time. By the end of the year, students typically have 30+ quick writes collected in their notebooks, along with a strong understanding of how to organize and expand their ideas before writing.

How It Works Students open their spiral notebook to a 2-page spread:

• One side = Brain Bubbles planning
• One side = Quick Write timed writing

(Students may choose their own sides — left-handed writers especially appreciate this flexibility.)

Students:

• Place the main idea in the center bubble
• Brainstorm supporting ideas/subtopics
• Add details to each bubble
• Use their Brain Bubbles to guide their writing
• Write nonstop during the timer
• Circle their last word and track word-count growth over time

This routine is designed to be repeated weekly, helping students build consistency and confidence throughout the school year.

Included In This Resource:

✔ Teacher introduction slides
✔ Brain Bubbles planning instruction slides
✔ 60 quick write prompts
✔ 20 informational prompts
✔ 20 opinion prompts
✔ 20 narrative prompts
✔ Writing timer routine explanation
✔ Word-count tracking routine
✔ Tips for modeling and teaching Brain Bubbles
✔ Editable Google Slides
✔ Printable notebook covers

Perfect For

• Upper elementary writing instruction
• Middle school writing intervention/support
• Building writing fluency and stamina
• Weekly writing routines
• Independent planning practice
• Teachers looking for an alternative to traditional graphic organizers

Grade Levels

• 2nd Grade (start small & go slow)
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• 5th Grade
• Middle School
• High School intervention/support

Why Teachers Love This System Instead of constantly switching graphic organizers, students practice one consistent planning structure all year long.

The result:

• more confident writers
• stronger writing stamina
• clearer organization of ideas
• increased independence during writing time