Concept Maps
Strategic Science Teaching © 2012
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Used with Permission from the Los Angeles County Office of Education
http://sst.lacoe.edu
Concept Maps
(also called “Graphic Organizers”)
1.A pictoral way of important
information you need to understand,
remember, or write about.
1.An excellent first step in the writing
process.
1.By creating, reading, and
rereading, you're ready to
write paragraphs, essays,
or study a chapter for
a test!
Concept Maps
1.Harness the power of our vision to
understand complex information "ata-glance."
1.It is easier for the brain to make
meaning when information is presented
in visual formats
2.Concept maps assist
students in handling
complex information
Practical Applications
1.Supplements Cornell notes; left side
2.Excellent aid to group brainstorming.
3.Planning course objectives and careers
4.Providing graphics for presentations and
term papers
5.A way to outline term
papers and
presentations.
6.Refines creative and
critical thinking.
Concept Map
for Defining in Context
Boundaries to the
Concepts you
Main Topic
know about it
brainstorming process
Reading Skills: Context clues; identifying bias
Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995
Concept Map
for describing, using adjectives
Adjective
2
Adjective
1
Adjective
3
Main
Concept
Adjective
6
Adjective
4
Adjective
5
Reading Skills: Vocabulary growth; identifying properties
Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995
Concept Map
for Comparing & Contrasting
Contrast
Concept
1
Contrast
Contrast
Compare
Compare
Contrast
Concept
2
Contrast
Contrast
Compare
Reading Skills: comparing critical properties & emphasis
Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995
Concept Map
For Classifying and Grouping
The Fishes
Agnatha
Chondrichthyes
Ostracoderms Agnathians Elasmobranchs Chimeras
EXTINCT
Lampreys
Sharks
Short-nose
Ratfish
Hagfish
Rays
Long-nose
Ratfish
Osteichthyes
Ray-finned
Lobe-finned
Teleosts
Coelocanths
Gars, Bowfins Lung Fish
Reading Skills: Main Ideas & Details; Taxonomy
Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995
Concept Map
For Analyzing Objects and Parts
Suns
Solar Systems
Galaxies
Comets
Planets
Moons
M types: Red Giants
Stars
A type: White Dwarfs
G type: Yellow stars
Reading Skills: Spatial Descriptions & Anatomy
Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995
Concept Map
For Sequencing & Ordering
Step 1
Step 1a
Step 1b
Step 2
Step 2a
Step 2b
Step 3
Step 3a
Step 3b
Reading Skills: Descriptions of Order & Physiology
Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995
Flow Map
Concept Map
For Causes and Effects
Cause 1
Effect 1
Problem
Cause 1
Effect 1
Reading Skills: Reason/Consequence & Prediction
Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995
Concept Map
For Seeing Analogies
electricity
machine
as
sunlight
chloroplast
Reading Skills: Vocabulary & Analogical development
Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995
Creative Tips
1. Review available visual materials
2. Focus upon a visual language approach
3. Consider possible formats
4. Relax and allow your mind to "free associate"
5. Draw informal sketches of your impressions
6. Experiment with a variety of visual layouts
7. Color shapes, arrows or words for emphasis
8. Imagine a bird's eye overview of the subject
9. Look with fresh eyes: are the visuals compelling?
- Do they help convince the viewer that the subject
matter is important and inviting?
Making Maps
"Should there be logging in
old growth forests?”
1.Make a map for comparing & contrasting
to represent the pro's and con's
1. On one side of this issue are topics
like biodiversity and spotted owls
2. On the other side of the issue are
topics related to the towns and
families; issues of logging, foreign
trade, and recreation
2.Try to come up a with a map that
represents the whole issue.
Revising Maps
1.Are they clear? Logical? Attractive?
1.Good maps are like good writing; they
are usually the product of several
drafts
2.Share,
get
feedback
Resources for Teachers
Thinking MapsTM Training
1. The "Thinking Maps" name and graphic
organizers have registered trademarks.
2. This Powerpoint presentation, which
includes copyrighted materials from
"Thinking Maps", is not a substitute for
the 3-day training offered by Innovative
Learning Group.
3. For further information regarding a 3day training on Thinking Maps, go to:
http://thinkingmaps.com/
Resources for Teachers
Concept Maps: Web Resources
1. sitesforteachers.com
2. teacherweb.com
3. blackboard.com
4. Download inspiration.com or
mindtools.com software to be able
to create concept maps
Resources for Teachers
General Science Writing:
1. “Write to Learn Science” NSTA
book by Bob Tierney
Concept Maps
1. NSTA Concept map book
2. Learning How to Learn by
Novak
Designed by
Anne Maben
AP Science Coach