Thinking Maps at Ogden Elementary
For a more comprehensive information and link to the "Thinking Maps" Webpage- click here
Thinking Maps is a visual language that integrates thinking skills and mapping techniques. Learning to use these strategies, starting in kindergarten and continuing through each grade level provides students with a common visual language that helps them develop effective writing skills . These techniques also help students become better learners as they develop life-long skills that help them throughout their academics careers and beyond.
Thinking Maps uses basic mental operations involved in perceiving, processing and evaluating information. They describe, classify, and sequence.
The skills used with Thinking Maps can be done with paper and pencil and many writing activites begin this way at Ogden. To follow are examples using the Thinking Maps software.
Circle Maps are tools used to help define a thing or idea. It is used to brainstorm ideas and for showing prior knowledge about a topic. In the center of the circle, use words, numbers, pictures, or any other sign or symbol to represent the object, person, or idea you are trying to understand or define. In the outside circle, write, draw or use graphics for any information that puts the main object in context.
| Thinking Map software makes it easy to create a Circle Map. There is no limit to the number of items a student can add to his circle. Students can also create a Circle Map using Kid Pix. Beginning writers can stamp images in the circle. |
Home Tips:Have your child brainstorm ways the family could spend the summer vacation, their favorite books, gifts they could make for a grandparent, their favorite holiday activities.
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Bubble Maps are used to describe qualities using adjectives ("sparkle words") and adjective phrases. As a writing tool it enriches students' abilities to identify qualities and use descriptive words.
In the center circle, write the word or thing being descrbed. Write the adjectives or adjective phrases in the outside circles.
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Home Tips:Describe a friend, a pet, favorite candy, a game, a stuffed animal.
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Double Bubble Maps are used for comparing and contrasting. This is similar in concept to a Venn Diagram. Two items being compared are written in the two center circles. Outside bubbles show items that share qualities with only one object - these are contrasting qualities. Center bubbles (that connect to both circles) show similaries between the two items being compared.
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Home Tips:Categorize spelling words when studying for a test, write a shopping list for the grocery store organized by type of food (i.e. produce, dairy, canned goods, treats, etc.).
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Brace Maps help learners understand the relationship between a whole physical object and its parts. They are used to analyze the structure of an item. It's like 'disecting' on paper.
On the line to the left, write the name of the whole object. On the lines within the first brace to the right, write the major parts of the object, then follow within the next set of braces with the subparts of each major part.
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Tree Maps are good for organizing the agenda of a meeting or showing the structure of an organization.
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Home Tips:Think about (map out) the parts of a plant, a computer, a continent, country, or state, a unit of measurement.
Flow Maps sequence and order a process. They identify the relationships between stages and substages of an event (or order or numbers, operations, steps, etc.) They can be used to explain the order of events.
In the outside rectangle, write the name for the event or sequence. Rectangles to follow list the steps or events that follow from beginning to end. Smaller rectangles may be written below to list substages or each major stage.
Home Hints:Write a flow map at home is good practice for students to think logically and completely. Have your child make a Flow Map explaining how to make a bed, wash the dishes, make cookies, or tie a shoe. It's fun to give the directions to someone else and see if they can follow them. This is also good practice for recalling the order of events in a story - good review before an AR quiz!
lti-Flow MapMulti-Flow Maps represent cause and effect. It is a process of sequencing that looks at what caused an event and the results/effects of the event. It helps students analyze a situation by looking at the cause and effect - the 'why' and 'consequences' - good or bad.
In the center rectangle, list the event that occurred. In the rectangle to the left, list the causes of the event. Write the effects/consequences of the event in the rectangles to the right of the center rectangle. If you are studying a system, you will find that there are effects in the system which, in turn, influence initial causes. This circular cause and effect relationship is called a feedback loop.
Home Hints:Conflicts between friends or siblings could be analyzed using a Multi-Flow Map. Pick a hypothetical situation and make two Multi-Flow Maps - one with good consequences and one with bad consequences. Map the rain cycle, the life cycle of an animal or plant.
e MapSeeing analogies is the process of identifying similarities between relationships. These are similar to the 'analagies' found on SATs with one difference being Bridge Maps can have many 'bridges'.
Bridge Maps give students a tool for applying the process of seeing analogies. On the far left, write in the relating factor. The relating factor is the similar phrase that fits both sides of an analogy. On the top and bottom of the left side of the bridge, write in the first pair of things that have this relationship. On the right side of the bridge, write in the second pair of things that have the same relationship. The bridge can continue with more relating factors.
Home Hints:spelling words, habitats or primary food sources for animals, makes and models of cars.
Innovative Learning Group copyright Statement: The term "Thinking Maps" and the graphic form of the eight Maps have registered trademarks. The term "Thinking Maps" with or without the graphic form of the eight Maps may not be used in any way without the permission of Innovative Sciences, Inc.
For more information, visit their website at the Thinking Maps website.
This Thinking Maps webpage created and designed by Mary Rizzo, Parsley Elementary School, edited by Bev Haley, Ogden Elementary School.
