Concept Mapping

Teacher Name(s): Ms. Hoff
Date: Fall 2004
Grade level(s): 4-6
Content Areas: Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Educational Technology
Description/Abstract: Organize ideas / concepts using a concept map / web created in Kidspiration.
Timeline: 1-2 class periods

Objectives:

  1. Create a concept map using Kidspiration
  2. Categorize topics / ideas
  3. Explain relationships between categories
  4. Utilize the "Picture" feature of Kidspiration
  5. Practice computing skills: find, copy, paste, multitask, minimize applications
  6. Access the school server: save files, open files

Links to Curriculum Standards:

K-12 Educational Technology Standards:

  1. Technology Communication Tools (Communication Foundation Skill)
    • Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate and present information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
  2. Technology Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Tools (Problem Solving Foundation Skill)
    • Students use appropriate technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.
  3. Technology Productivity Tools (Resource Access and Utilization Foundation Skill)
    • Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
  4. Technology Research Tools (Linking and Generating Knowledge Foundation Skill)
    • Students use appropriate technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
    • Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
  5. Socail, Ethical, and Human Issues (Citizenship Foundation Skill)
    • Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
  6. Basic Operations and Concepts
    • Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
    • Students are proficient in the use of technology.

Guiding Questions / Ideas:

  1. What is a concept map / web?
  2. What is the purpose of constructing such a diagram?
  3. The teacher will demonstrate how to construct a concept map on the board. The topic will be chosen from among one of the following: our galaxy, living organisms, etc.
  4. The teacher will instruct / remind students that 2 key factors when constructing concept maps are that similar categories are grouped together and linking words are included between each category to explain how they are related.

Assessment:

  1. The concept map includes required number of categories and subcategories.
  2. Linking words are included.
  3. Direction of arrows correctly show flow of information.
  4. No background color included on concept map before printing.
  5. Name is included on finished product.

Learning Connections:

  • The lesson will be of interest to students because it will help to organize information and encourages individual creativity.
  • Prior learning will focus on construction of concept maps / webs and knowledge of living organisms, the galaxy, etc.
  • Curricular connections regarding educational technology will focus on computer skills such as using keyboard keys "control" + "F" to find information on a website, copying ("control" + "C") and pasting ("control" + "V") text and pictures, accessing the server, and utilizing more than one program at a time (multitasking).
  • Curricular connections regarding science content will focus on the characteristics of animals.
  • Curricular connections regarding social studies content will focus on the characteristics the 50 states.
  • Curricular connections regarding english language arts content will focus on the celebration of a holiday or the biographical life of a scientist, author, etc.

Learning Activites or Tasks:

  • Depending on their assigned task, students will read about a holiday, a person, Animal World Records, etc.
  • Students will create a concept map categorizing relevant information.
  • Students will use the hot keys to copy (ctrl+C) and paste (ctrl+V) pictures & text onto their concept map.
  • Students will use the hot keys, ctrl+F, to find information quickly from websites.

Teaching Strategies:

The teacher will guide the lesson utilizing the demonstration computer in front of the class in the following order:

  1. The teacher will instruct the students to open the program, Kidspiration.
  2. Next, choose the "Picture" option which starts a new concept map.
  3. If students have never used Kidspiration before, they will be instructed to create a concept map of themselves following the teachers' lead:
    • Change "Main Idea" to "Student Name".
    • Add 3 categories: state born in, student at TMS, hobby
    • Add 2 subcategories under "student": 2 classes
    • Erase the arrow from the categories of name to state born.
    • Using the "Link Symbol" button, add the arrow from the categories of name to state born (explain that sometimes the arrow will not appear when adding categories and they need to know how to add arrows if that should occur).
    • Change the default round shape of the "Student Name" category to a picture that represents them from among the pictures on the left.
    • Change the rest of the pictures on their concept map from among a menu that categorizes pictures into science, geography, math, people, etc.
    • Show students the options of "Spell Check" and Background Color" under "Goodies" but instruct students to print only with a white background as it will use up too much ink trying to print colored backgrounds.
    • Change the format of text, arrows, and pictures using the options on the bottom of the screen.
    • Add Student Name using the "Student Name" button (looks like a green man) which will only appear after printing, not while working on their concept maps.
  4. If students have used Kidspiration before, they will be given instructions to complete a concept map of one of the following topics and to follow this path to retrieve information:
    • From the desktop, double click on "Computer Lab" file
    • Scroll to bottom of page & click on the "Computer Lab Lessons" link
    • Scroll to middle of page and find the blue box. Find the "concept map: webs" lesson.
    • Click on the assigned topic link:
      • World Records (4th - 6th)
        • Animal World Records
        • Student Assignments- the # of the computer each student is sitting at corresponds to the number of the animal for which the students are to create a concept map.
        • Categories to Include- 8 categories are listed which must be included on each students' concept map
      • 50 States (4th - 6th)
        • United States
        • Student Assignments- the # of the computer each student is sitting at corresponds to the number of the state for which the students are to create a concept map.
        • Categories to Include- 10 categories are listed which must be included on each students' concept map
        • Link to State Information
          • 50States.com
          • NetState.com
          • USmint.gov- state quarter images
      • An assigned holiday (4th - 5th)
        • KidsDomain.com
          • Clip Art- student will choose an image for the main idea category of concept map
          • History- information about founder & date of 1st celebration
          • Activities- examples of holdiday activities
  5. While students are being directed to their assignements, handouts will be passed out which includes an example of what's expected.
  6. Students will be instructed to minimize Internet Explorer (contains topic information) to get back to the desktop and double click on Kidspiration to open it.
  7. Choose "Picture" to start a new concept map.
  8. Students will need to type the main idea (state name, author, etc.) into the circle that is available.
  9. Next the students will be instructed to use a picture for the main idea and reminded by demonstration how to copy and paste pictures.
  10. The teacher will ask if the students know any other way to copy and paste:
    1. right click & choose copy/paste
    2. from the menu "Edit", then "Copy/Paste"
    3. control + C to copy, control + v to paste
  11. Next the students will be asked how to copy and paste text (the only difference is that text needs to be highlighted first).
  12. Students working on the holiday lesson: volunteers will be called upon to read the "History" page, after which, we will discuss as a class their assignment of filling out the handout.

Management:

  1. Students will work individually.
  2. Before demonstrating the lesson step by step, students who wish to forge ahead will be given the opportunity to work at their own pace as soon as the following instruction is given:
    1. The location of the links for the lesson
    2. Background of concept map must be white before printing
  3. Students who need extra attention or who won't stay on task will be moved up front by the teacher workstation for more immediate attention.
  4. The teacher will repeat each step of the demonstration as needed.

Materials and Resources:

  1. Internet connection
  2. Internet Browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape
  3. Kidspiration
  4. Animal World Record Websites:
  5. 50 States Websites:
  6. KidsDomain.com Website:
  7. TMS Computer Lab website icon on each desktop for easy access
  8. Demonstration computer

Lesson Evaluation and Teacher Reflection:

Questions:
Was this lesson worth doing?
In what ways was this lesson effective?
What evidence do you have for your conclusion?
How would you change this lesson for teaching it again?
What did you observe your students doing and learning?
Did your students find the lesson meaningful and worth completing?