Thinking Maps

We have implemented Thinking Maps throughout our entire school for students to use in all curricular areas. We have focused the most around their use with our Writing, but we are also using this style of thought organization whenever it fits naturally.

So what are Thinking Maps? It is a focused way to organize thought. Students are taught eight different ways to organize their ideas. See each style below.

Circle Map Defining a Concept	Bubble Map Describing with Adjectives

Define Brainstorm List Identify Tell Everything They Know "What does _____ mean?" "Can you define _____?"	Describe Using Adjectives Identify Characteristics Identify Properties Identify Qualities "How would you describe_____?"
Double Bubble Map Comparing and Contrasting	Tree Map Classifying

Identifying Similarities and Differences Differentiate Between Characters or Objects Analyze Comparisons and Contrasts "How are ___ and ___ alike/different?"	To Classify To Characterize To Sort or Group To Give Sufficient and Related Details For Convergent and Divergent Thinking "What is the main idea of_____?" "What are the supporting details?"
Flow Map Sequencing	Multi-flow Map Cause and Effect

Sequence Steps, Stages, or Events Order Information Analyze Patterns "How would you demonstrate the steps for solving _____?"	Causes or Effects Impacts and/or Benefits Reasons and/or Results "What is the impact of the author's point of view on _____?" "How would you evaluate the arguments and claims in ____?"
Brace Map Identifying Part / Whole Relationships	Bridge Map Seeing Analogies

Identify the Parts of a Whole Deconstruct Problems Show Physical Components "Analyze the structural parts of _____ and suggest improvements."	Connect Related Ideas and Relationships Understand Analogies and Metaphors "What is the relationship between _____ and _____?"

Douglas County School District Nondiscrimination Notice: In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District’s Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Ted Knight, Assistant Superintendent, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, complianceofficer@dcsdk12.org, 303-387-0067. Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

Buffalo Ridge Elementary

Thinking Maps

Buffalo Ridge Elementary