SCI-M 3114 Teaching Science in the Elementary Grades Page 1

CHAPTER 10
CONCEPT MAPPING IN ELEMENTARY SCIENCE

Intended Learning Outcome (ILO): The Pre-service teachers must

have explained what concept maps are, how the technique can be taught
and how they can be used to enhance science learning (BTI 4.1.1,
4.5.1; CLO B,C)
Preparation

Introduction
When new knowledge is integrated with and
connected to existing knowledge, that new knowledge is easier to understand
and to remember. A professor’s job is to build scaffolding from existing
knowledge on which to hang incoming new knowledge. Using a concept map is
one way to build that scaffolding.

Presentation

What is a Concept Map?

A concept map is a visual organization and representation of knowledge. It shows

concepts and ideas and the relationships among them. You create a concept map by writing key
words (sometimes enclosed in shapes such as circles, boxes, triangles, etc.) and then drawing
arrows between the ideas that are related. Then you add a short explanation by the arrow to
explain how the concepts are related.

Concept maps are visual representations students create to connect ideas, concepts,
and terms. Students can use them to organize information they already know and to incorporate
new learning with this prior knowledge. Concept maps help you see how students understand
content.

Since students might not know how to create a concept map, it is beneficial to model the
process in class. Once students understand the process, you can use concept maps in the
following ways:

 Use as an in-class pre-assessment. Prior to discussing a topic, ask students to create

a concept map. Then, as you discuss the information, they can add to or modify their map
to reflect their understanding about the topic.

 Do as a small group activity. Give your students a problem, case study, or question

about a key concept. Divide them into small groups of 4-5 students. Have each group
create a concept map as they analyze and synthesize previously learned information into
this new scenario. Have the groups present their conclusions.

 Do as a whole class activity. As a class, create, a concept map and use it as a

springboard to discuss relationships among the concepts and ideas listed in the map.

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  Fill in the blanks. Before class, create a concept map of the material you want to cover
in class. Then, remove some of the concepts and labels. Show the partially completed map
to the class and have them fill in the blank spots and label the relationships.

 Organize your research. Use a concept map to build and organize your ideas, layer
details, and find connections and relationships that might never have occurred to you
before.

How to Use

1. Brainstorm. Have students brainstorm main ideas and terms related to an assigned topic.

2. Organize. Organize these ideas from general to specific. Cluster ideas or terms that are
similar to one another.

3. Map. Students should write the terms in the appropriate cells of the concept map. Arrange
and add cells as needed.

4. Connect. Draw arrows or lines to connect the cells that contain words that are related. Words
or phrases can be written along these lines to explain the relationship between the cells.

When to Use

Concept maps are very versatile and can be used in any grade level and for all content areas.

 To organize ideas while reading a story, novel, or article

 During the Guided Practice section of a lesson so students can synthesize information
just covered

 As a closing activity so that students can review what was learned in the lesson

 Before a unit to access prior knowledge

 As an assessment tool or to check for understanding

There are several benefits of using concept maps. A concept map:

 Helps visual learners grasp the material (however all learners benefit from the activity)

 Helps students see relationships between ideas, concepts, or authors

 Utilizes the full range of the left and right hemispheres of the brain

 Helps memory recall

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  Helps to clarify and structure ideas

 Aids in developing higher-level thinking skills (create, analyze, evaluate)

 Helps students synthesize and integrate information, ideas and concepts

 Encourages students to think creatively about the subject

 Lets students do self-evaluation of beliefs, values, socialization, etc.

 Helps students evaluate assumptions.

The following list contains specific functions that can be performed by using concept
maps.

 Analyze

 Brainstorm

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  Compare and contrast

 Evaluate

 Hypothesize

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  Interact

 Sequence

 Visualize

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 Once you have decided the type of mental function you want students to perform and the
type of visualization that will help, there are several tool options. Students can use Microsoft
Word to create their organizer by inserting shapes, smart art, and charts into a Word
document. FreeMind is a free software option (open source software available for both Mac and
Windows)

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