Thinking Maps In YOUR Classroom

In class tonight we talked about thinking maps. I have always disliked filling out thinking maps even when I was in school. I felt like it was time consuming and boring; but this is because I didn't have trouble writing my papers. I have always been full of thought and typically have spoken my thoughts and sometimes when I shouldn't. I am much better at reserving some of my thoughts now; as I have gotten older and more mature. Writing papers still comes very easy to me, but as an educator I realize that is not always the case for everyone; especially younger students. I do believe that thinking maps can be useful in the classroom; to facilitate the writing process. I think they should be explained thoroughly on how to use them or why they are being used; so students don't think they are busy work and can find them useful. Now, my thoughts tend to be scattered at some point, every now and then, so I can see thinking maps being useful for corralling thoughts as well. I am so glad that Mrs. Steffes showed us examples of different kinds of thinking maps. I like having options and it is important for the student to have an option, for a thinking map, that works best for them. I liked the bridge map quite a bit myself; however I wouldn't use it for every writing activity. I would probably use it when contrasting and comparing, maybe characters or other items, in a story. Different maps can be used different ways and for some reason the only thinking map I was ever provided as a kid was the bubble map; very boring.

I know I would have enjoyed a little variety. I plan to go over and print off several different kinds of thinking maps for students to use in my classroom. I was always a very compliant and pleasant student, but as we all know students are more engaged and work better when they can make their own choices. I found this video and thought it explained a little more about some different thinking maps and how they can be implemented in your classroom.