I was initially inspired to try this strategy after watching this TED talk by Rachel Smith.
A gallery of examples from a 2010 professional development (6 hour session)...
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| Add the central image (I provided all of the teachers with an image of the brain.) |
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| Branches represent the key points (I provided a few images to anchor thinking relating to the central image and each branch.) |
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| Add Details (We provided the teachers with Sharpie Ultra-Fine-Point Permanent Markers and let them keep them at the conclusion of the professional development.) |
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| Add Realia I also provided the glasses (realia) to emphasize the point of focusing on the target and essential questions. This teacher chose to attach her glasses to the Mind Map. |
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| We chose to display the Mind Maps in the hallway leading to the principal's office. This allowed teachers to compare, question, and simply continue the conversation of "Focus Lessons." |
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| Everyone takes notes differently. |
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| Mind Maps are engaging and powerful! |
A gallery of examples from a 2013 professional development (3 hour session)...
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| Drawing During Staff Development - The Parson ES instructional plan and PZ 4 initiatives were introduced while the teachers synthesized the key details. |
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| The maps are displayed in the lounge and work room to serve as a reminder that we all have a hand in making "Our Academic Environment" language-rich! |
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Teachers are able to view how colleagues synthesized the same information differently. |
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| The central image is the cover of the 2013-2014 Building a Culture of Achievement instructional blueprint |
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| Free Sharpies were provided and teachers were allowed to keep them! |
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| The Mind Maps are displayed above the copier too! Making every minute count... |
