THINKING MAPS
Thinking Maps
were developed as a language for learning by Dr. David Hyerle, author of Visual
Tools and Field Guide to Using Visual Tools. Visual tools (Thinking Maps) help learners to transform
information into knowledge. There
are eight Thinking Maps, based on fundamental cognitive skills: circle, bubble, double bubble, flow,
multi-flow, tree, race, and bridge.
These maps represent the thinking processes like defining in context,
describing, comparing and contrasting, sequencing, causes and effects,
classifying, analyzing parts to whole, and seeing analogies.
HGA sponsored a
workshop on Thinking Maps for TCs.
The group learned about Thinking Maps and will be returning for a second
session with their student work samples.
The group will apply their learning to geography, as well as other
subject areas.
Thinking Maps
work best when implemented in an entire learning community to ensure that
students and teachers have a common language for communicating thinking
processes.
Workshop:
November 16, 2002
(Follow-up Feb. 8, 2003)
Presentors: Bernice Kihara and Mary Frances Higuchi
(Trainers for Thinking Maps)
The day's agenda
included a background on Thinking Maps and why they are effective, a short
discussion on how brain research supports Thinking Maps, and the purpose of
each Thinking Map and how they can be used in the classroom. Much of the day was spent applying
content to the Thinking Maps. The
group was asked to use a Thinking Map to evaluate the day. In reflecting the day's learning, the
Thinking Maps most frequently used by the group were circle, tree, multi-flow,
bubble, and flow. Everyone
evaluated the day differently.
Thinking Maps were definitely a plus in making sense of the learning
that took place.
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Group participates in seeing how the
neurons "talk" to each other.
Neurons that "fire together" get "wired together."
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Group learns the Thinking Maps by using
Tacky the Penguin, by Helen Lester as their reading
material. |
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Gallery Walk. Questions to ask while viewing the Thinking Maps: Is the Thinking Map drawn
correctly? Is the correct thought
process represented by the Thinking Map? |
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Other Resources
Task Cards
for The Bomb, Theodore Taylor (Developed by Bernice and Mary Frances for
ASGI 2002.)
Website Links
http://www.mapthemind.com/tmaps.htm
Provides with
the background on Thinking Maps.
http://yatesmilles.wcpss.net/thinkingmaps/
Samples of
student work from Yates Mill Elementary.
http://www.ips.k12.in.us/s715/star/Mac
Class Presentations/Mac Class Presentations.htm
Samples of how a
class explains plant life basics to germination and food spoilage
Information from
the Innovative Learning Group
http://www.gcschools.net/thinking_maps.htm
Collection of
examples depicting how teachers are using Thinking Maps in
classroom
instruction.
http://www.nhcs.k12.nc.us/htree/Curriculum/ThinkingMaps.html
Examples of student work.
http://www.gcschools.net/thinking_maps.htm
This web page is a
collection of examples depicting how our teachers are "Thinking
Maps®" in classroom instruction.
© Hawaii Geographic
Alliance. January, 2003. All rights reserved.