Thinking Maps Training

October 7, 2009

Circle Map

Brainstorming

Defining in Context

Thought Process

KEY INFORMATION

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.

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0 + 6

1 + 5

5 + 1

4 + 2

3 + 3

2 + 4

6 + 0

Identify the THOUGHT PROCESS

DEFINING IN CONTEXT

KEY WORDS

Context, List, Define, Tell everything you know, Brainstorm, Identify, Relate prior

knowledge, Explore the meaning, Associate, Generate

KEY WORDS

Context, List, Define, Tell everything you know, Brainstorm, Identify, Relate prior

knowledge, Explore the meaning, Associate, Generate

Circle Map

•How do you know what you know about this topic?

•Did your information come from a specific source?

•Is this information being influenced by a specific point of view?

•Who could use this information?

•Why is this information important?

Frame of Reference

Frame of Reference is a “metacognitive frame” and asks students to think about their thinking.

Guiding Questions for Constructing a Circle Map:

•What are the context clues that help define this word, topic or idea?

•What do you already know about this word, topic or idea?

Guiding Questions for Adding a Frame of Reference:

•How do you know what you know?

•Where are you getting your information?

GUIDING QUESTIONS Page 25

Source: Where did you get your information?

Source: Have you studied this information in school before?

Things that tell something about you

Things/people that have influenced you

TEACHING THE CIRCLE MAP

Your Name

4 children

8 grandchildren

Ana

ESL Teacher

Leaving family

Cuban

Teacher Academy Trainer

Love chocolate

workaholic

Mrs. Hunt

Frank

Not speakin

g English

father

enjoy crafts

Discuss with a partner or at your table how you have used the Circle Map with your English language learners.

Applications: Using the Circle Map Across Disciplines

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Vocabulary Development

Brainstorming for Writing

AbolitionistPhysical Change

Definition (in own words) Characteristics

Examples

A change in size, shape, or state of

matter

New materials are NOT formed

Ice meltingBreaking a glass

Cutting hair

Same matter present before and after change

Definition Visual Representation

Personal Association or Characteristic

A trianglewith one

right angle

Trianglewith a 90

degree angle

RightTriangle

Diagnostic and Instructional Tool

Use the Circle Map with familiar topics to diagnose what

the student does or does not know.

This provides the teacher with a

starting point forInstruction

New cultural wordsand concepts can

also be used in thisway (Thanksgiving)

Note Taking

The Circle Map is used to define a concept, a word or an

idea. It can also be used to

diagnose prior knowledge, to brainstorm before writing, or to use as a lesson closure.

THOUGHT PROCESS

DEFINING IN CONTEXT

CircleMap

Using the informationtake notes about the

Circle Map in a Circle Map.You may use ONLY the

information that appears above.

Ms.Jones

Source of Information: Thank You Ma’am

Roger

Source of Information: Thank You Ma’am

The Circle Map can be used to gather information for the purposeof defining a major or minor character in a story. The informationin the Map can be a direct quote from the text or an inference. Ifthe students create individual or small group Maps, they shouldbe given the opportunity to share and make additions, if desired.

Lived in a boarding house

Worked ina beauty shop

“frail and willow-wild”

Wanted bluesuede shoes

Gathering Information About Characters in Literature

CivilWar

Point of View: Scarlet in Gone With the Wind

Use the Circle Map with thePoint of View

Frame ofReference

to assist withthe understanding that some

ideas or definitionsmay not be the same

for all characters in thesame piece of literature

As an extension, the students

can compare literary“definitions” with more

factual/reliable accounts.

CivilWar

Point of View: Diary entry of Union soldier

Use the Circle Map with thePoint of View Frame ofReference to assist withthe understanding that

some definitions arenot always the

same for all

One who has had afirst hand encounter

may have different ideasthan one who has hadother ways of knowing

To Understand a Particular Point of View

Inference

?

Use the Circle Mapfor inference witheither familiar orunfamiliar topics.

This can be either student or teacherinitiated and serves

as an activity forclarification or review.

Devisable by 2

Negative number

More than - .25

Less than - .27

In order to infer the student mustunderstand academic vocabulary

?sideburns

scarves

Cadillac

May still be

alive

To Focus on Facts and Opinions

HillaryClinton

Point of View: Producer of a Documentary

HillaryClinton

Point of View: United States Voters

The Circle Map can be used to define a subject with “just the facts”or with just opinions. Of course, most definitions would include

both; however, this activity helps the students to differentiate and to “see” that definitions of most topics are usually more opinions

than facts.

To Focus on Main Idea

Rabbits and dogs are also mammals.Birds fly also but they fly during the day.

Bats

Bats are mammals.

During the day batssleep in dark places.

At night they fly aroundand look for food.

Most bats eat insects butsome like to eat fruit.

Bats live in treesand caves.Some bats live

under bridges.

Bats have wings, arms and fingers.

People have arms and fingersbut they do not have wings.

The Circle Map can be used to help the students conceptualize theessential criteria for main idea – what should and should not be

included.

Troubleshooting the Circle Map

Incorrect information in the “prior knowledge” Circle.

Limited brainstorming

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strawberries

Classroom Applications Using the Circle Map

Diagnostic and Instructional Tool

Note taking

Gathering informationabout characters in

literature

To Understand aparticular Point of View

Inference

Vocabulary Development

Scaffoldingto organize for writing

To focus on Factsand Opinions

To focus on Main Idea

Classroom Application

• Get in grade level groups.• Using October calendar and textbook

determine where you can introduce and incorporate the Circle Map in your lessons.

• Come up with at least three occasions when you will be using the Circle Map.

• Plan to add some rigor to your maps for higher level students or those already familiar with the map.