1. Using Mindmaps for thinking 1.Sun diagrams or meta-maps 2.The Rules 3.Helpful tips and breaking the rules 4.Trying it out

2. The basics of Mindmapping Spider diagrams are NOT Mindmaps! Mindmaps are not usually used for making notes They help you to process what you know and make new links between ideas They are visual ways to organise information to make it easier to remember Your brain likes images!!

3. A quick demonstration Close your eyes Listen to a word Then, when asked tell me what you thought of

4. FRUIT

5. Which fruit came into your head? Was it the same as the person next to you? How did you ‘see’ it? Was it the word that came to mind? Huge letters in front of your eyes? More likely it was an image e.g. a shiny red apple That is because your mind likes images!

6. Making a start with a Sun Diagram FIRST THING IS TO CHOOSE A TOPIC

7. CENTRAL IMAGE ADD A CENTRAL IMAGE OF THE TOPIC E.G. IF MY TOPIC WAS LONDON I MIGHT DRAW BIG BEN Use landscape paper

8. CENTRAL IMAGE NOW PUT DOWN THE FIRST 8 IDEAS THAT COME TO MIND ON THAT TOPIC AND WRITE THEM ALONG THE SPOKES OF THE WHEEL IDEA 1 IDEA 2

9. CENTRAL IMAGE ONCE YOU HAVE DONE 8 IDEAS, CHANGE PEN COLOUR AND ADD ANOTHER SET OF SPOKES WITHIN THE CURRENT GAPS IDEA 1 IDEA 2 ADD IDEAS ALONG THESE LINES TOO IDEA 9

10. CENTRAL IMAGE AND ADD ANOTHER SET IN ANOTHER COLOUR IDEA 1 IDEA 2 IDEA 9 IDEA 17

11. CENTRAL IMAGE IDEA 1 IDEA 2 IDEA 9 IDEA 17 THE IDEA IS TO HAVE PUT DOWN ALL YOUR IMMEDIATE IDEAS NOW START LOOKING FOR LINKS AND ADD ARROWS; THIS ENABLES YOU TO START GROUPING THEM

12. Now try creating a Sun Diagram about London

13. Sun diagram into a Mindmap Use landscape paper again Choose a central image Try starting with 4 main groups e.g. in the London Mindmap these might be ‘areas’ ‘history’ ‘people’ ‘Olympics’ The groups should be ‘big ideas’ or concepts You will then start adding the detail to the groups

14. The Rules o Always landscape paper; unlined o Use colours o Always have a central image o Write on top of the lines o Lines are as long as the words o Use capital letters o Do not edit; judge or pause; just do it!

15. Other tips  Start with 4 groups (if stuck try what; why; how; other)  Make your lines bend so that you can write horizontally  Add other images along to way if it helps you  Don’t worry about the mess; its not a piece of art  Leave lots of space between lines

16. Now try creating a Mindmap about London – use your sun diagram to help The following slides show some images of Mindmaps for inspiration