Session+10

10.1 Opener
I use mind maps at the very beginning of the year as an opening activity. I begin by placing ten random characteristics about myself on separate pieces of scrap paper and place them in a jar. I write my name on the center of the board in large letters. Then I invite a student up to choose one characteristic about me and and draw it on the board, without disclosing to the class what the characteristic is. I continue to invite students up to choose and draw until the jar is empty. I then draw lines to my name and presto...the students have created an identity mind map about me and my interests. As a "get to know you" assignment, students create identity mind maps about themselves and share with the class. I display them for the first few weeks of class. I will encourage digital mind maps this year. I also use mind maps throughout the year to help students organize ideas and concepts visually. For instance, they create a mind maps when we study trans-boundary pollution. Students map out three different examples of pollution and how it can travel to other countries.

Potential Benefits of Mind Maps
The potential benefits of mind-mapping are that students can visualize, organize, simplify and connect their thoughts and ideas. Mind mapping is a traditional scaffolding graphic organizer that has shown to be very beneficial to visual learners. As a 21st century tool, mind mapping will exceed such benefits. Mind maps have potential to become interactive, animated, have sound and video......brought virtually to life!

media type="custom" key="10164547"

10.2 bubbl.us
media type="custom" key="10173345"

10.3 Reference information for mindomo
Creating your first mind-map: [] Saving your map: [] Formatting and styling your mind-map: [] Working with topics: [] Sharing your map: []