Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.

Help me prepare and run the exercise below. First ask for my participant count, time, setting, access needs and intended result. Check these against the stated limits. Use the supplied rules and materials. Explain any proposed changes before using them, and label them as adaptations. Do not invent source claims or require personal disclosure. Give me one step at a time when I say start. I manage the people, physical activity and clock; do not claim to observe the room. Ask me what happened before choosing a next step.

Reference revision: 3b8c23e23e2c9fd93737af5632a33f75986327c0eaadda844457d4dbdeb562bb

# Stop and Jot

Participants pause during an instructional session to draw a stop box on their paper and write a concise response to a prompt. They then share brief reflections in pairs or as volunteers with the full group.

**Time:** 8 minutes. UWT plan structured for 8 minutes based on the source 5 to 15 minute quick check format
**People:** 4 to 24. Individual writing followed by voluntary whole-group share

## Choose this exercise

**Purpose:** Verify individual comprehension and give participants brief independent processing time before moving forward.
**Use it when:** Use midway through a dense lecture, briefing, or training module when people need to consolidate what was just covered.
**Skip it when:** Skip during interactive simulations or open debates where pausing for silent individual writing interrupts active group momentum.

## Materials and tools

- One sheet of paper or notebook per participant
- One pen or pencil per participant
- Whiteboard, flipchart, or shared slide for displaying the prompt

## Before participants arrive

1. Write or queue up one specific check-for-understanding prompt.
2. Ensure every participant has writing materials within reach.

## Say this to open

We are going to pause here for a quick Stop and Jot. Draw a rectangle on your notepad to make your stop box. I will read a question, and you will have two minutes of silent time to write your thoughts inside that box.

## How to run it

### 1. Set up the stop box (2 minutes)

Deliver the opening script. Direct every participant to draw a visible rectangle on their notes page. Display and read the focal question aloud once. An example prompt is: 'In your own words, what is the primary difference between phase one and phase two of this workflow?'

### 2. Write silently (2 minutes)

Start a two-minute silent timer. Participants write their individual answer inside the stop box. Keep the room quiet so everyone can process without interruptions.

### 3. Share volunteer responses (3 minutes)

Call time. Ask for two or three volunteers to read or summarize what they wrote in their box. Limit each volunteer to thirty seconds. If volunteers miss key elements, offer a thirty-second model answer or clarifying point.

### 4. Close and proceed (1 minutes)

Remind participants that their stop boxes serve as summary markers for their notes. Transition back to the main presentation or next module.


## Debrief questions

- Which core idea appeared in your box that felt clearest?
- Where did you notice ambiguity or a missing detail as you wrote?
- How does this concept connect directly to the task we will do next?

**Finished output:** A completed stop box in each participant's notes containing a written check-for-understanding summary.

## Remote

Ask participants to open a personal blank document or use physical scratch paper. Post the prompt in the meeting chat and on screen. Run a two-minute silent countdown. Invite two volunteers to type a one-sentence summary into the chat or unmute to share.

## Hybrid

In-person attendees write on paper while remote attendees type into private notes. Display the prompt on the main screen and screen share simultaneously. During the share step, call on one in-person volunteer and one remote volunteer.

## Access and participation choices

- Participants may type on a digital device, write on paper, or sketch a diagram instead of full sentences.
- Sharing aloud is strictly voluntary; participants may keep their stop box private without giving a reason.

## If the session gets stuck

**Participants start writing full paragraphs and run out of time.**

Remind the group at the start that bullet points or a single sentence inside the box are completely acceptable.

**No volunteers offer to read their stop box during the share step.**

Provide your own concise model response directly, confirm whether the group understands, and continue with the agenda.


## Terms used here

- Stop box: A rectangular frame drawn on a notes page to mark a focused, brief written reflection.

## Sources and adaptation

Observed in The Teacher Toolkit as an instructional check-for-understanding strategy.

Retained the core Stop and Jot mechanic from The Teacher Toolkit, including drawing a stop box, pausing mid-session, answering a targeted prompt, and sharing brief responses. UWT established an 8-minute timetable, neutral prompt examples, structured step timings, and hybrid options.

[The Teacher Toolkit](https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/stop-and-jot)

[The Teacher Toolkit](https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/print-tool/stop-and-jot)

Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/stop-and-jot-the-teacher-toolkit/