HOW TO USE MIND MAPS AND WHY
5º and 6º grade
Let's see carefully this picture. The information related to a topic is organised on a mindmap to help us studying and summarizing. This method can be employed for every subject to make the studying process easier and faster. You can use letters, pictures, drawings, arrows, branches and so on. Here there is an example, look at it during few minutes and think how could you create one for natural or social science, language, English or even maths. After do that on a paper let's read some useful instructions;
A mind map is basically a diagram that connects information around a central subject. I like to think of it like a tree, although it has more of a radial structure. In any case, at the center is your main idea, and the branches are subtopics or related ideas, such as days of the week and what activities you do and your family does. Greater levels of detail branch out from there and branches can be linked together.
Mind maps are flexible. There are no limits as to what mind maps can be used for. What’s more, mind mapping is suitable for all ages. Your child can’t yet read. But with the power of mind maps, they can learn. How cool is that? Just use images rather than words.
Mind maps are easy to create. All you need to get started is an idea. You don’t need to write in sentences, or even use words at all – but you can if you want. You can express your ideas in the way you are most comfortable with.
Mind maps are clear. The intention of a mind map – its topic – is always in the centre of the page, and there are no surplus ‘fillers’ to detract from the main aim of the map. Mind maps give you an overview of an idea, and then allow you to explore the idea further through sub-categories and keywords.
Mind maps are visually driven. As well as the perfect planning tool, they are a wonderful presentational device. Don’t tell people your ideas, show them! The fact that your initial concept is split up into distinct categories will help others to understand.
Mind maps enable a free flow of ideas: Because you mostly use single keywords, symbols and short phrases in mind maps, you can jot down ideas a lot faster than usual, which results in an unobstructed flow of ideas.
Here there are some useful links to learn how to create them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XskqMhtndfQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCKZ75VDaSI
