Concept Maps Strategic Science Teaching © 2012Used with Permission from the Los Angeles County Office of Education Los Angeles County Office of Educationhttp://sst.lacoe.edu

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 (also called “Graphic Organizers”)

1.Harness the power of our vision to understand complex information "at- a-glance." Concept Maps 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 Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995 Main Topic Concepts you know about it Boundaries to the brainstorming process Reading Skills: Context clues; identifying bias

Concept Map for describing, using adjectives Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995 Main Concept Adjective 1 Adjective 4 Adjective 2 Adjective 3 Adjective 5 Adjective 6 Reading Skills: Vocabulary growth; identifying properties

Concept Map for Comparing & Contrasting Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995 Concept 1 Concept 2 Compare Contrast Compare Reading Skills: comparing critical properties & emphasis

Concept Map For Classifying and Grouping Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995 Reading Skills: Main Ideas & Details; Taxonomy The Fishes AgnathaChondrichthyesOsteichthyes EXTINCTLampreys Hagfish Coelocanths Lung Fish Teleosts Gars, Bowfins ElasmobranchsChimerasOstracodermsAgnathiansRay-finnedLobe-finned Sharks Rays Short-nose Ratfish Long-nose Ratfish

Concept Map For Analyzing Objects and Parts Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995 Reading Skills: Spatial Descriptions & Anatomy Galaxies M types: Red Giants A type: White Dwarfs G type: Yellow stars Comets Solar SystemsStars Suns Planets Moons

Concept Map For Sequencing & Ordering Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995 Step 1Step 2Step 3 Step 1aStep 1bStep 2a Step 2bStep 3aStep 3b Reading Skills: Descriptions of Order & Physiology

Flow Map

Concept Map For Causes and Effects Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995 Problem Cause 1 Effect 1 Reading Skills: Reason/Consequence & Prediction

Concept Map For Seeing Analogies Adapted from “Thinking Maps® - Tools for Learning” © 1995 Reading Skills: Vocabulary & Analogical development as electricity sunlight machine chloroplast

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 Maps TM 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 3- day training on Thinking Maps, go to:

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