Content Area Addressed: Reading Comprehension
Strategy: Concept Mapping: Improving the Reading Comprehension of Science Texts
Appropriate Grade Level: 6-12
Procedures/Steps:
*On the overhead or projector, show various examples of different concept map layouts.
*Explain to your students what a concept map is and how it can be used (for example, it can be
used during readings and/or used as an outline). Don’t forget to explain the process of each
concept map.
*After the students know how to use a concept map, practice as a whole class while you read
during science or social studies. Go through each step so the students understand exactly how a
concept map can be created while you read.
*During the next lesson students will create a concept map on their own. This
Will give them the power to be creative and adjust the concept map the way they learn best.
Comments and/or tips:
*Concept maps are a great tool to help students study. They also allow students the opportunity
to express themselves.
*Concept maps are used to help students understand text structures and to improve reading comprehension.
*Remember all concept maps are different, however they must flow in a way that makes sense
when being read. Providing templates or examples will help students use appropriate models.
*Keep extra copies of concept maps in a special folder so students can use them anytime while
they read.
Source:
Oliver, K. (2009). An investigation of concept mapping to improve the reading comprehension of
science texts. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 18(5), 402-414.