September 29, 2007

Thinking Maps™

Thinking Maps are copyrighted organizer techniques used in K-12 education. There are eight maps that correspond with the eight different fundamental thinking processes. Thinking Maps provide a common visual language to information structure, often employed when students take notes.

The teaching and administrative staff at our school district were trained in the use of these "maps" during our August professional development days. Since then, our teachers have been introducing a new map every other week. Teachers then post their maps in the hallways so everyone can see that they're creating.

It's somewhat of a different language for kids, but they are able to "understand" thought process differently. I was skeptical at first, but watching what the youngest children at our school (kindergarten–aged)have come up with is awesome.

Dr. Albert Upton, a professor at Whittier College, California, wrote Design for Thinking, a text defining fundamental thinking processes. It was the basis for what would become Thinking Maps.

What are the eight maps?

Circle Map - used for defining in context
Bubble Map - used for describing with adjectives
Flow Map - used for sequencing and ordering
Brace Map - used for identifying part/whole relationships
Tree Map - used for classifying/grouping
Double Bubble Map - used for comparing and contrasting
Multi-Flow Map - used for analyzing causes and effects
Bridge Map - used for illustrating analogies

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