Implementing Thinking Maps Week 4: Tree Map

The Tree Map is a tool for classifying or sorting things and ideas into categories, and for grouping main ideas and details.

To construct a Tree Map, the title (topic or main idea) will be written on a line.  A "connection line" will come down from title and connect to individual sub-categories or supporting ideas.  Below each sub-category or supporting idea add lines for the specific members of the category or specific details for the supporting ideas.

Some guiding questions for a Tree Map could be:

* How would you group this information?

* Can you sort these objects into groups?

* What are the ideas and details that support your main idea?

* What are the members of this category?

* Do some of the items fit into more than one category?

* Is there another way to categorize these things (according to a different frame of reference)?

Adding a "Frame of Reference" to the Tree Map gives it the final parameters.  A few ways to frame could be:

* How do you know what you know about these categories?

* What resources did you use to gather the main idea and supporting details about this topic?

* Is one source better than another for this information?

* Does a certain point of view influence how you have classified this information?

Bloom's Question Stems

Bloom's Thinking & Learning

Unless you've been living under a rock during your professional career, Bloom's Taxonomy is not new to you.  In short, Bloom's is a system used to define different levels of cognitive thinking, learning, and understanding.  Although we need all of these categories to help us with understanding concepts, it is the Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation levels that will create higher order thinking in our students.  This resource was created for a quick reference of HOT (Higher Order Thinking) questions.  Often times we tend to just ask the LOT (Lower Order Thinking) questions, as these are easiest to ask off the top of our head. Hopefully this quick reference will allow you to pull deeper thinking questions into your everyday class activities.

Bloom's Verbs

Please know that the categories have varied over the life of Bloom's.  The idea has been adapted since it was published in 1956, as a better understanding of how our brains function and how scholars think has evolved.  Regardless of what the categories are titled, the HOT questions and activities are where we want our students to show their knowledge.  The list of verbs listed above are great for usage while talking in PLCs and creating lesson plans and formative assessments.

Trello: Productivity & List Making At Its Best!

Trello 101 | Getting Started with Trello

One of my biggest OCD tendencies is list making.  Yes, that's right... creating never ending lists of all the things that I have to do.  Does it make me accomplish them any better or even get them all done?  Maybe not, but it does put everything from my head on paper and is a visual reminder.

Trello is an online resource that helps me do this digitally.  There is also a convenient app that allows me to view and, most importantly, check off items on my list while on the go.

Let's talk "Boards", "Lists", and "Cards".
A. Through this platform, you can create different boards for the different aspects of your life (work, home, weekend, lesson plan, data, etc).
B. Your can divide up into whatever categories lists you'd like (To Do, In Progress, Done, Later, etc).  C. In these lists categories, you create cards for each "to do" item.  You can even dive deeper and write out specifics for each item on your cards.  Cards can be dragged between lists, edited, or deleted.
D. The Menu area serves as the Mission Control center for your entire board.  Change the look of the board, invite collaborators, and 

One of the greatest features is the collaborative piece to Trello.  Whether it's co-workers, a spouse, or friends, Trello boards give everyone a shared perspective.  Comments and mentions, due dates, website links, notes, photos/graphs, and data can be added to each individual card as things are being worked on.  Personally I feel like this is a great tool to eliminate an overload of emails and meetings.

Check it out and let me know what you think.  So far, I am digging it!

JIT: Cooperative Learning Strategies in the Classroom

JIT: Cooperative Learning Strategies in the Classroom

Learn (or refresh your learning of) various cooperative learning strategies in the classroom.  Get your students engaged in learning and having academic conversations.

How to Register:
Log in to Eduphoria! --> Select Workshop --> Select Upcoming Courses --> Scroll down to 10/10/2019 JIT: Cooperative Learning Strategies in the Classroom --> Click the green plus sign to register

Implementing Thinking Maps Week 3: Double Bubble Map

The Double Bubble Map is used for critical thinking and comparing & contrasting two people, places, things, or events.  This map is vary similar to a Venn Diagram and you can even superimpose one upon completing a Double Bubble just for students to see the connection.

When using the Double Bubble Map, it is important to keep the points balanced.  When contrasting, when there is a point for Item A, there should also be a point for Item B.  These points (bubbles) will only touch the Item for which the student is referring.

The similarities of course will be connected to both Item A & Item B showing that that have this in common.  These will be the center bubbles.

In order to keep students for concentrating on the physical appearance of the Double Bubble Map, have them start by comparing & contrasting without the bubbles.  They can then go in and add them to complete the look.  It can also be helpful to have students color coordinate the bubbles for those points that are similar vs. the points that show differences.

Example Double Bubble Maps:

Line Segment and Ray Double Bubble Map

Double Bubble Map Comparing 2 Three Digit Numbers

Generation Genius: An Online Science Resource

Generation Genius is a pretty awesome Science based website brought to you by the collaborative minds of the National Science Teachers Association.  This online resource has everything from lessons, videos, reading materials, discussion questions, vocabulary, DIY activities, Kahoot! quizzes, and Exit Tickets.

Things to keep in mind...
- Although these are not TEKS driven standards, you could still pick and choose videos, activities, etc that align with your current standards being taught.
- There is a 14-day trial for this resource, however it is a paid subscription.  (If you are not one for paid subscriptions, use and absorb as much as you can within that free trial period!)

A few highlighted details:

Differentiated Exit Ticket

Step-by-Step DIY Activity for Extension

15-20 Minute Exploration Video

Be sure to check this resource out!  It can give you a couple ideas or change your world. ;)

SMART Exchange

SMART Exchange is a great classroom resource for SMART games, activities, and SMART Notebook created for teachers by teachers.  You are able to search by typing in specifics, or simply search by grade level and subject.  Don't see something you are looking for, so you created your own?  Upload your resource to share with your team or other educators using SMART Exchange. 

TAKE A TOUR

Need a 5 minute mini PD on how this resource works?  Click the link for a PD quick start.

Here are a couple notable activities:

Scientific Method

Longitude & Latitude

Identifying Genre

Integers