Concept Map

Concept maps are not new to me as they are something that I use often in my classroom to help students narrow down their topics for writing; however, when I do use concept maps they actually draw them out themselves. When I create a protype for my students I always use the whiteboard, but with a site like bubbl.us I can now use my computer to show them how to use it as well as have them create one in class. The concept map I have chosen to use is a writing topic I always use the first week of school. Either on the 2nd or 3rd day of class I have the students write a one page paper about what they did this summer. This concept helps with two things: one I can see where their writing level is, and second it lets the students share an exciting thing that happened to them this summer. My concept map would help me to decide which topic to write about if I am having a hard time thinking of what I did, deciding which is my favorite, and/or recalling the details of the event.