Mind Maps: 101 Uses from Taking Notes to Summative Assessments.

Lately in my classroom I have been all about creative assessments and looking for "thinking" as opposed to "answers".  I recently ran across a suggestion in my curriculum to have students organize their thoughts with a Mind Map. Initially I thought this was going to be like any other graphic organizer or maybe even a fancy trademarked one similar to Thinking Maps, but boy was I wrong. A Mind Map is an organic tool that helps students to make their own connections and literally see their though process. 

I did some digging and learned that Tony Buzan has written a book on the benefits of Mind Maps. He has a number of Ted Talks that are well worth the watch. Here is a video of a student completing a Mind Map on Mind Mapping. It shows how visual and creative mind maps can be. She also goes into detail about how Mind Maps have helped her study and why they are brain friendly. This is the video I tend to show students right before they make their own Mind Maps. 

I am drawn to Mind Mapping for a variety of reason, not least of all is it's complete alignment with John Medina's brain rules. I have been thinking over this book for a while now and this assessment supports Brain Rules 3,4,9,10 and may have links to others as well.  Mind maps integrate color, form, and logic, imagery and content. It truly is a whole brain learning activity. 

I have used Mind Maps in a variety of ways, I to use them as a note taking strategy, a knowledge consolidating strategy, a knowledge harvest, or a summative assessment. Bare with me a moment and I'll talk you through my thinking behind each. 

• Note Taking Strategy: Mind Maps are perfect for note taking as they are geared towards non-linear thought, and people rarely think, present, or observe in straight lines. You can spend time on one branch and then return to add branches on another. The thinking and depth doesn't have to stop until you run out of paper. This is preferable to more traditional form of note taking, such as Cornell notes, as it is VERY linear. If a speaker goes back to a topic to elaborate the student is still taking notes in chronological order; they are essentially transcribing, a passive experience. In Mind Mapping during a lecture, students are actively making connections and thinking about where something fits in to the big picture. This will aide in a deeper understanding of of the content covered in addition improved recall later on.   
• Knowledge Consolidation: I have recently asked my students to complete a mind map after a field trip as a way to consolidate their knowledge and understanding; this also helped me to see the connections they made between their learning on the trip and the prior learning done in class. This activity helps to make the field trip more meaningful to the students, and knowing that they will complete one keeps them actively listening and paying attention through out the day. After the trip I can clearly see which students understood the big picture, and if any misunderstanding or incorrect understanding exists. 
• Knowledge Harvest: A knowledge harvest takes place in the early stages of a unit and provides an opportunity for students to show what they already know about the themes or topics to be covered. This prior knowledge can then be added to as the unit takes place. This is very similar to the "K" in a KWL chart if you are familiar and already using this strategy in you class. 
• Summative Assessment: Mid Maps are great for summative assessments as they allow for natural differentiation. I can clearly see where the student is and it all come from the student. What I mean is they can't read through the lines of my assessment to see what they think I want them to say based on question strategy or wording. It also helps any ELL students as they can draw pictures and still make connections between topics. My school grades on a 1-7 scale and I grade within bands. I ALWAYS give the rubric to the students before they begin and ask them to turn it back in with the assessment, that way I know that they are aware of the requirement and what I need to see to give them a particular grade. You can check out my rubric here. 

One Pagers : Assessment for Higher-order Thinking Skills

 I love One Pagers; yes, I drank the cool aide. I use them ALL the time, I use them in a variety of ways, they are an ever present force in my teaching arsenal. Lets step back and talk about what a One Pager really is.
     A one pager is an independent assessment tool used to gauge a student's understanding of a topic, concept, theme, book...really the options are limitless. The One Pager was created by AVID to " express their comprehension of, reaction to, and  connections with a specific area of study." One Pagers are great because they encourage creative thinking. There is no "right" answer, there is do specific question the student needs to answer. This allows the student to look back on their learning, reflecting and consolidating the information from class with their own prior learning.
      I also find that this type of assessment allows for natural differentiation amongst my students. I use Bloom's Taxonomy to guide my students and encourage their best thinking, as well as a structured way to look at passing one Pagers. For example, if students are creating a One Pager on the book Coraline, some students may only be able to recall what happened, while others are able to make implications regarding the motivation of a character. All students are able to show their learning, in a way that is accessible to them. This is particularly helpful for ELL students who may understand a great deal from a topic or unit, but lack the vocabulary to articulate their knowledge in a more conventional, traditional sense.
 

 Without further ado here are the parameters of a one pager as I use it in my class.

1. All work must be only on one side of the paper
2. Your first and last name must be clearly displayed
3. start with a border that reflects the unit of learning or theme. ( this can include words, pictures, symbols, or even quotes)
4. Using text as a starting point, write your reactions or connections with the unit of study.  Be sure to include your analysis and AT LEAST ONE quote from the unit. Remember, you must cite your quote with the page number, and explain it's relevance. 
5. Draw a visual image. This could be a character, or a moment from a scene. You may also choose to draw symbols that convey an idea about the unit. 
6. Draw a word cluster around your image. Use these words you highlight the importance of your chosen image. The word cluster may also artistically symbolize the subject matter.
7. Write a poem about the unit of study, a character, or the theme.  If this is particularly challenging you may choose to compose an acrostic poem. 
8. Personally connect to the unit with and "I believe" Statement. This could be anything you believe after you have completed the unit. 
9. Create and Answer two questions about the unit of study. Think about Bloom's levels of thinking. Try to create and evaluate rather than remember and understand. 
10. Be colorful and neat. Your entire page should be filled with these elements. If you have more room, you may choose to repeat any of the previous. No space should be left blank, and nothing should be left in pencil. 

I have always found, and I do me ALWAYS, that my students have understood and internalized so much more than I gave them credit for after reading through their One Pagers. They are thinking independently and showing how a unit has effected them personally, what they have learned. I normally use this as a summative assessment, but sometimes I like to use it as a knowledge harvest. When given at the beginning or mid  unit, it makes for a great formative assessment helping you to gauge what needs to be rethought and what your students have a firm grasp on. 

So, Yes, I love One Pagers. I think everyone should use them however they may fit best into their class. I just feel like it is a best practice on so many levels, helping to create they types of learners the world needs today. 

Update! March 20th:  I have recently added a freebie on my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

If you liked this post, or want to try out One Pagers in your classroom, click on the image below to be taken to my freebie you can print for your class.