Benefits of Thinking
Maps
Arrow Academy Charter School
2014-2015
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
What are Thinking Maps?
O Thinking Maps are eight specific visual
patterns
O Allows for abstract thoughts
O Enhance the brain's natural ability to detect and
construct meaningful patterns
O Reduce anxiety by providing familiar visual
patterns for thinking and working with complex
ideas and situations
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
What are Thinking Maps
Continued
O Thinking Maps are based on 8 cognitive
skills
O Connects a concrete visual design with a
specific abstract thought process, students
create mental visual patterns for thinking.
O Empower students with the tools to become
independent thinkers.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
What are Thinking Maps
Continued
O Common Language for meaningful learning
and interacting
O Learner-centered and collaborative learning
O Concept Development
O Reflective Thinking
O Creativity
O Clarity of Communication
O Continuous Cognitive Development
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
What are Thinking Maps
Continued
O Allows for Depth & Complexity
O Thinking Maps are most effective when used
in combination to fully develop a concept or
theme. Analyzing an idea from multiple
thought processes helps people develop the
depth of thought necessary for making
meaning.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Types of Thinking Maps
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Circle Map
O This map is used to help us define
something and show our understanding of a
topic. We use this to generate ideas, assess
what we already know, and what we have
learned.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Circle Map Example
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Bubble Map
O This map is used to help us describe a
topic. The center circle is for the topic while
the outer circles are for the qualities of that
topic. It is important that these qualities are
“adjectives.” You can describe the
attributes, properties, or traits of things.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Bubble Map Example
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Flow Map
O Use a flow map to help organize a sequence
of events. It allows you to show how events
are related to one another. Through the use
of sub-stages that are written below the
major events, you can offer even more
details about those relationships.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Flow Map Example
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Brace Map
O This thinking map helps to organize
relationships of physical objects. It allows
you to break a physical object into its
components for a deeper analysis. As you
move through the process of making this
map, the parts of the object become
“smaller” and more specific.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Brace Map Example
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Tree Map
O This thinking map helps to organize a very
common thought process. It helps to sort
items into different groups or categories,
something that we do frequently to organize
new ideas. Items are grouped by similar or
common qualities.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Tree Map Example
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Double Bubble Map
O This map is useful in comparing and
contrasting two things. It allows for qualities
that are shared to be placed in between the
two items while differences are placed on
the outside of the items.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Double Bubble Map Example
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Multi-Flow Map
O This map is used to help us show
relationships between events. It allows us to
state causes of an event before (or to the
left) of a stated event and effect after (or to
the right) of the stated event.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Multi-Flow Map Example
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Bridge Map
O This thinking map helps to organize
relationships of physical objects. It allows
you to break a physical object into its
components for a deeper analysis. As you
move through the process of making this
map, the parts of the object become
“smaller” and more specific.
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Bridge Map Example
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Resources
O http://thinkingmaps.com/why_thinking_maps.php
O http://www.wappingersschools.org/domain/539
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division
Q&A
3rd Grade-Unit 5: Relating Multiplication to Division