Thinking Maps: What are they good for?

Thinking Maps, also known as graphic organizers, are used in today's classrooms to develop critical thinking skills for students. Thinking Maps are visual tools used for organizing and structuring information about topics. In addition to that, they clarify communication, provide continuous cognitive development, encourage creativity, and give students a chance to reflect on a variety of subjects and topics.

There are an abundance of thinking maps an educator can use in their classroom! Each map having their own distinct use. For example, circle maps are used for defining, brainstorming, listing, identifying, and telling everything you know about a topic. 

Here is an example of a map discussed above, a circle map used for the number 6:

The 8 Thinking Maps and their thinking process: 

1. Bubble Map - describe qualities, using adjectives.

2. Double Bubble Map - compare and contrast, using similarities and differences. 

3. Tree Map - classify, categorize, sort and/or group. 

4. Brace Map - part-whole thinking process.

5. Flow Map - sequencing (of events). 

6. Multi-Flow Map - cause and effect.

7. Bridge Map - viewing analogies. 

Thinking Maps are used with the KWL Plus reading strategy, as a way to create and organize information about a topic. For example, students will use the KWL chart and brainstorm each component. What they know, want to know, and what they have learned. Before they get to the learned part, have them read the text. After they have read the text, they can then fill out the learned section of the chart. 

As you probably already know, Thinking Maps are a great addition to any lesson! Enjoy folks! 

EDUC 338 - Content Reading - Mrs. Steffes

Strategies to Implement When Teaching Content Reading:

• The first strategy I want to try in a lesson is the Before, During, and After Questioning, more commonly known as BDA Questioning. I like the idea of this strategy, because it breaks down the text for students. Instead of trying to understand the whole text you are reading as a class, students can focus one section, and hone in on what it's really trying to say. Additionally, BDA Questioning offers students a chance to critically think about the text they're reading. 

Below is an example of questions for students to consider. It's always a good idea to display key strategies for your students, so I really enjoyed this!

I found this chart below when I was initially researching more information about the BDA Questioning, and thought it provided a few good points about the strategy itself. Personally, I like how it broke down the strategy into smaller parts, by providing examples, explanations, etc. 

On another note, I found a site about individual strategies to use for BDA Questioning. The site provides explanations of the strategy, handouts to use while reading, a break down of each step, and much much more! 

Feel free to check it out at: http://smoran.ednet.ns.ca/Reader%27sworkshop/before_during_after_reading.htm

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•  The second strategy I want to try is the RAFT. I enjoyed learning about the RAFT strategy, because it's a strategy that allows students to take on different roles, and it allows teachers to use specific writing formats. I like how creative you can get with this strategy, and you can use it for many different subjects. Which is always a bonus! 

I added this image for those who might want more examples of each component of the RAFT.

Don't be shy, research this strategy a bit more, because there are a ton of RAFT's out there! They come in different subject areas, and can provide you with great starting points for a reading/writing comprehension!

EDUC 338 - Content Reading - Mrs. Steffes

(Tonight's Subject: Write about one of the following strategies - Jigsaw, Frayer Model, or Choice Boards - and how you will use it in your class.)

Frayer Model

The Frayer Model is a graphical organizer used for building vocabulary comprehension. This model not only looks at the the vocabulary, but it evaluates words for students. 

I have seen this model used in a 5th grade classroom before reading Woodsong by Gary Paulsen aloud. The students had a packet passed out, and this was one of the sections within it. In the same classroom, we used the same model for a topic in social studies. The studies worked on these on their own, and then went over them as a class. 

I think I would use this model in my classroom as a way to introduce a topic with vocabulary. Students wouldn't just look it up in a dictionary, Google it, but they would analyze it in partners. To begin with, I would introduce the model using a well-known vocabulary word. Then I would list the key words from the chapter on the board, partner my students, and assign them a section of the reading. Students would complete the four-square graphic organizer around a key concept/word. Then they would share their completed frayer model with the class. 

This model can be used in all subjects, as there's always vocabulary for students to learn in all subjects. You can approach this model for lessons in different ways, as long as students get a chance to analyze vocabulary on their own. Followed by the class presenting their models aloud.