Thinking MapsThinking MapsTools for Learning

Presentation by Beth Waters

For McMurray Middle School

October 2008

What Are Thinking Maps?

• Thinking Maps are 8 visual-verbal learning tools, each based on a fundamental thinking process, and used together as a set of tools for showing relationships. set of tools for showing relationships.

• Each Thinking Map has a basic visual starting point.

Why Use Thinking Maps?

• Thinking Maps give all students and teachers a common language for meaningful learning.

• The consistency and flexibility of each • The consistency and flexibility of each Thinking Map promotes student-centered and cooperative learning, concept development, reflective thinking, creativity, clarity of communication, and continuous cognitive development.

Purpose of Thinking Maps

THINKING MAPS are a common visual tool in your learning community in your learning community

for transferring thinking processes, integrating learning, and

continuously assessing progress.

Thinking Maps are Research Based

• In the 1960’s, Dr. Albert Upton saw significant changes in the scores of his college freshmen with the implementation of visual tools for basic thinking processes.

• In 1982, Dr. Antoinette Worsham published results of increases in SAT scores of students

• In 1982, Dr. Antoinette Worsham published results of increases in SAT scores of students using Dr. Upton’s tools.

• From 1993-1995, there was a significant increase in reading and writing scores of elementary and secondary students using Thinking Maps based on the doctoral dissertation of Dr. David Hyerle.

The 8 Thinking Maps• Circle Map – Define a concept in context• Bubble Map – Describing Qualities• Double Bubble Map – Compare and Contrast• Tree Map – Classifying• Tree Map – Classifying• Brace Map – Part to Whole• Flow Map – Sequencing• Multi-Flow Map – Cause and Effect• Bridge Map – Seeing Analogies

Circle Map

• Circle maps are for the thinking process of defining in context.

• May be used for:• May be used for:� brainstorming ideas� showing prior knowledge� recording information to put an

idea/thing in context

Circle Map

Frame ofReference

Context

Thing or Idea

Circle Map

Read about it in a book

Saw it onTV

MummiesIt is in Africa.

Cleopatra

Have a friend

from there

A Country

Has the Nile River

Has Pyramids

EGYPT

Bubble Map• Bubble maps are for the thinking process

of describing things.

• May be used for:�describing things/ideas using adjectives or �describing things/ideas using adjectives or

adjective phrases�enriching students’ ability to identify

qualities�enriching student’s ability to use adjectives

Bubble Map

Adjective orAdjective

Phrase

Adjective orAdjective

Phrase

Adjective orAdjective

Phrase

Thing to Describe

Phrase

Adjective orAdjective

Phrase

Adjective orAdjective

Phrase

Bubble Map

Extreme

Life Threatening

Unpredictable

Dangerous

Extreme Weather

Disastrous Damaging

Double Bubble Map

• Double Bubble maps are for the thinking process of comparing and contrasting.

• May be used for:• May be used for:�identifying and describing similarities�identifying and describing differences�comparing shared qualities�contrasting differences

Double Bubble Map

QualityOf

QualityOf

Thing # 1Shared Quality

QualityOf

Thing # 2

Quality

Thing # 1

Of Thing # 1

QualityOf

Thing # 1

Shared Quality

Shared Quality

QualityOf

Thing # 2

QualityOf

Thing # 2Thing # 2

Double Bubble Map

Popular

Shallow MisunderstoodIntelligent

Glinda

Popular

Frightened

Caring

Beautiful

Brave

UnpopularElphaba

Tree Map

• Tree maps are for the thinking process of classifying.

• May be used for:• May be used for:� sorting things into categories or groups� identifying common qualities and subgroups� representing hierarchical classification� grouping of themes, concepts, and ideas

Tree MapCategory

Sub-Category Sub-CategorySub-Category

DetailDetail

Detail

Detail

Detail Detail

DetailDetail

DetailDetail

Tree MapTree MapThe Three Bears

Poppa Bear Baby BearMomma Bear

Hot PorridgeHot Porridge

Hard Chair

Hard Bed

Soft Chair Just Right Chair

Just Right BedSoft Bed

Just Right PorridgeCold Porridge

Brace Map

• Brace maps are for the thinking process of part to whole.

• May be used for:• May be used for:� identifying concrete part to whole relationships� identifying abstract categories or groups of things� identifying the anatomy of any object

Brace Map

Whole

Major Part

Major Part

Subpart

Subpart

SubpartWhole

Object

Major Part

Major Part

Subpart

Subpart

Subpart

Subpart

Brace MapBrace Map

Brass

Trumpet

Tuba

Snare DrumBand Percussion

Woodwinds

Snare Drum

Bass Drum

Clarinet

Saxophone

Flow Map

• Flow maps are for the thinking process of sequencing.

• May be used for:�identifying relationships between stages

and substages of an event�sequencing and ordering information

Flow Map

Beginning Second Event Third Event

Supporting Details

Supporting Details

Supporting Details

Supporting DetailsDetails Details

EndingFourth Event

Supporting Details

Supporting Details

Flow Map

Introductory Paragraph

What Happened

Where I Went

Supporting Details

Supporting Details

Supporting Details

Supporting DetailsDetails Details

ConclusionParagraph

How I Felt

Supporting Details

Supporting Details

Multi-Flow Map• Multi-Flow maps are for the

thinking process of cause and effect.

• May be used for:• May be used for:�showing and analyzing cause and effect

relationships�extending sequence by identifying

interrelated events

Multi-Flow Map

Cause Effect

EventCause Effect

Cause Effect

Multi-Flow Map

Shortage People get Gas stations

Storms threatento destroy oil

drills.

Pricesincrease.

Shortage Of Gas

in Nashville

People get scared and make

a run for a gasstation.

Gas stationsrun out ofgasoline.

Media reportspossible gasshortages.

We wait for hours in line

for gas.

Bridge Map

• Bridge maps are for the thinking process of seeing analogies.

• May be used for:• May be used for:� identifying similarities between relationships� applying the process of seeing relationships� analyzing relationships to identify the relating

factor

Bridge Map

as

First Pair Second Pair

as

Bridge MapBridge Map

Women Menas

Women

Mars

Men

Venus

Teaching Thinking Maps

• Introduce each Thinking Map and the thinking process that it addresses.

• Permanently display the Thinking Map poster in the classroom.poster in the classroom.

• Conduct an interactive lesson for each Thinking Map

It is recommended that one week is spent focusing on each individual Thinking Map.

Thinking Maps• Common teaching/assessment tool that

can be used in every classroom.• Each Thinking Map addresses a unique

thinking process.• They are researched based with proven • They are researched based with proven

positive effects on learning.• They are consistent, yet flexible to meet

the needs of any topic, lesson, or learner.• They provide students with a tool to reflect

and clearly communicate their thinking.