Concept Maps

Designed by

Debra Curran Gifted Resource Teacher

August 2011

Adapted from research by David Ausbel and Joseph Novak

What are Concept Maps?

• A brainstorming strategy

which organizes ideas in a clear diagram.

• Concept Maps aid learning by explicitly integrating new and old knowledge.

Why use Concept Maps? To highlight those areas of a topic which

students totally understand, and reveal those areas where they may need help

To generate, organize, visualize,

structure, and classify ideas to help solve problems

To brainstorm and plan ideas in a clear

diagram

When to Use Concept Maps?

To assess for understanding

English Example Create a Story Elements

concept map using the following vocabulary words:

Story elements, conflict,

internal conflicts, external conflicts, theme, resolution, setting, character traits,

exposition

History Example Create a Foundations of

Geography concept map using the following vocabulary words:

Directional indicator,

Equator, latitude, longitude

Mercator Projection, Polar Projection, Prime Meridian, Relative location, Robinson Projection, mental maps

physical map, political map, thematic map

Science Example Create a concept map

explaining the concept of cells and living organisms. Use the following vocabulary words:

Cell, Cell membrane, Cell wall, Cytoplasm

Vacuole, Cell Theory, Chloroplasts,

Mitochondria, Endoplasmic reticulum,

Ribosome, Lissome, Golgi body, Nucleus,

Cell cycle, Robert Hooke, Van Leeuwenhoek

Plant cell, Animal cell, Microscope, Schleiden

Schwann, Virchow, Robert Brown

Today you will create a Concept Map that you can use in your classroom

1. Choose a topic or concept. (Scope/Sequence Available)

2. Create a list of words that are related to that topic or concept (about 25 words).

3. Write each word from the list onto a card. 4. On the large poster paper organize the

words from the main concept/idea to individual parts.

5. Glue the words onto the chart paper. 6. With markers draw arrows to identify the

connections between each word. 7. Add a verb phrase to connect the words.

MATERIALS NEEDED: chart paper, paper strips, glue, scissors, markers

Write the following words on a card: Sales clerks

Mall

Sales managers

Shoppers

Cash registers

Food

Clothes

Shoes

Drinks

Mall security

1. On the large poster paper organize the following words

from the main concept/idea to individual parts. 2. Glue the words onto the chart paper. If time allows: 1. With markers draw arrows to identify the connections between each

word. 2. Add a verb phrase to connect the words.