Circle Maps
The Circle Map is used to define a concept, word or idea. It is a great map to use to
diagnose prior knowledge, brainstorm before writing, or use as a lesson closure.
The Circle Map can be used to explore these questions: What are the context clues that help
define this word, topic or idea? What do you already know about this word, topic or idea?
Bubble Map
Use adjectives and adjective phrases only. This map is great for vocabulary development
(vivid word choice) and inferential thinking. The descriptors used can be sensory,
comparative, emotional or aesthetic.
Focus on adjectives. One strategy is to keep a “Circle on the Side” for characteristics that
students want to record that are not adjectives.
Double Bubble Maps
Helps students compare and contrast any ideas, people, cultures, concepts, things they are
studying.
Because of the depth of thought, students may need to create two Circle Maps, two Bubble
Maps, etc before making the Double Bubble Map.
The Double Bubble Map is used to explore these questions: How are these two things
similar and different? Why are these similarities and differences important? What have you
learned by constructing this map?
The Double Bubble Map can be used in place of the Venn Diagram, especially when
focusing on the differences between two things. The Venn Diagram should continue to be
used in math for set theory.
Tree Maps
The Tree Map helps students classify information based on similar
qualities, attributes, or details. They can be developed inductively or
deductively.
The Tree Map is used to explore these questions: How would you
group this information? What are the ideas and details that support
your main idea?
Flow Map
A Flow Map can be used to show sequences, steps, comparisons or degrees. The Flow Map
can be drawn from left to right, in a cycle, or in a rising and falling action form as long as
each box is connected to another using an arrow.
The Flow Map is used to explore these questions: What is the name of the event or
sequence? What are the stages of each event? What prior knowledge and/or experiences
influence your understanding about this processes or series of events?
The sub-stages in the Flow Map must also be in a sequence, not just a list of details.
Multi-Flow Map
The Multi-Flow Map helps students identify the causes and effects of an event. When
constructing the map, always focus first on the event. The causes and effects do not have to
balance. Students may also construct a one-sided Multi-Flow.
The Multi-Flow Map is used to explore these questions: What are the causes and effects of
this event? Where did you get your information? Did a specific time period influence the
causes and/or effects?
The event is the key to this map. It must be a “happening.” The event should be “the flooding
of the Nile” instead of just “the Nile.”
Bridge Map
The Bridge Map helps students identify the relationships between words. As long as the
relationship remains the same, the Bridge Map can be extended beyond 2 pairs of words.
The Bridge Map is used to explore these questions: What is the similar relationship between
these two things? What other pairs of things have the same relationship?
Brace Maps
The Brace Map is for the structural analysis of a concrete object. These maps almost always
use nouns to name the parts of an object.
The Brace Map is used to explore these questions: What is the name of the whole object?
What are the major physical parts of the object? What sources did you use to identify the
whole and its parts?
The Brace Map is often confused with a Tree Map. Remember that the Brace Map identifies
“parts of” something. The Tree Map identifies “kinds of” things.