Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Ch. 2 "Reading as Thinking Strategy" Daniels & Bizar
At my school last year we had a workshop on Thinking Maps and I use these all the time with my first graders. I use the maps in addition to the usual predicting and think aloud with my students. I have also seen an increase in reading comprehension. The students enjoy using the maps because we have made them bigger and laminated them so they can use them during work station time and this also saves on paper. At the beginning of the year I introduce one map at a time and model how to use them before putting them in the work station. My favorite maps are: circle map-is used for defining a word or event, tree map- used to classify things and has many uses (setting, characters, problem, solution; answering questions, and is great for writing activities), flow map-sequencing, double bubble map-comparing and contrasting (I use different colors this helps the students identify the 3 parts), and brace map- whole-part relationship helps brake words and ideas apart. There are other maps with this program, however, these have proven to be the most useful with my students. The great thing about these maps, they can be used in all content areas!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I love using thinking maps and so do my students. I really like how you introduce one map at a time and then use them in workstations. (I've never used them in workstations. I think I may give it a try next year!)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to enlarge and laminate the maps. I can see how that make them a great tool in work stations. It seems to me that letting the students work with the maps in these work stations also supports their learning to use these tools independently. When I taught middle school, I sometimes found that my kids would use tools like these when I presented them, but they weren't always so quick to used them on their own.
ReplyDeleteI agree w/ Crystal - I like the way you introduce one map at a time so students will feel comfortable with it and how it is used. The bubble map and flow charts are my favorites!
ReplyDeleteMy school has also had the training on thinking maps. I use the maps with my fourth grade students. The maps are really helpful for my students when completing the writing process. Not only can these maps be used in all content areas but also in all grade levels.
ReplyDeleteI also like using thinking maps in my classroom, but I usually use the on my SMART Board. This way they become interactive. If I want to hyperlink something I can, or my students can create them and we can print them. I also put my SMART board in a center sometimes and groups work together to do many different tasks, including thinking maps.
ReplyDelete