Tree Maps Key Words: Classify, Sort, Group Categorize, Give sufficient and related details, Types of, Kinds of, List and Elaborate, Taxonomy

Identify the thought process: Classifying

Seventy percent of all information that comes into our brain is visual.

Learners acquire and store knowledge in two primary ways: linguistic (by reading or hearing lectures), and nonlinguistic (through visual imagery, kinesthetic or whole-body modes, and so forth). The more students use both systems of representing knowledge, the better they are able to think about and recall what they have learned (Marzano, Pickering, & Pollock, 2001).

When asked to create a Tree Map for The Endless Story as the main heading and characters, setting, problem and outcome as the sub-headings students have a clear understanding of what you are asking them to recall. The process of creating the Tree Map strengthens students’ ability to being visually literate. Students’ including ‘Elements of Story’ in the frame of reference of the completed Tree Map shows understanding of literary analysis in all grade levels.

Integrating process and content, completed Thinking Maps can be used to assess student understanding of concepts.