Word Maps - A most versatile tool for English teachers!
Updated: 5 hours ago
Word Maps - A most versatile tool for English teachers! And the ideas keep coming, the more I think about them!
What is a word map?
A word map begins with a piece of paper with a number of words scattered all around the page. These words are ones you particularly want student to think about or consolidate their understanding of. They can be used at just about any year level, from primary to high school scholarship.
Students then draw lines between the words, making note across that line of how those words are connected (see example below) – therefore creating a ‘map’.
Tips:
Make sure the words you place on the page are reasonably horizontal – a bit skewed is fine, but nothing upside down.
Use A4/letter sized paper, and use in landscape format. This will give students plenty of room to write.
You could create A3 (landscape) word maps if you have the budget and if students are working in pairs or threes (I’d say three max).
Add phrases, quotes or images if you like – especially if using for a text study (eg: novel, poem). More on that later.
What can you use them for?
Lesson starters – great in pairs. Turn it into a competition perhaps – eg: the first pair to find five ‘good’ connections gets [classroom prize].
New vocabulary – especially good for:
Units that are jargon heavy – eg: in subjects like science
English language learners studying a particular topic – eg: Things inside our homes, travel.
Establishing prior knowledge – eg:
Ideas related to a new thematic study.
Ideas related to the context of a text you’re about to study.
Formative testing – eg:
Map ideas about a character (such as development, relationships, conflicts (inner, with setting, with other characters).
Check understanding of how aspects from your studied work together to illustrate a main idea. Eg: how symbolism works with physical setting to illustrate the idea that freedom is all about getting back to nature and leading a simple life.
Critical thinking – get students to think more deeply and critically:
Zoom in on a specific aspect of a theme – eg: Instead of self discovery focus on a more specific idea related to that theme such as “external conflict” (as a means to self discovery).
Zoom in on a specific aspect of a text – eg: character development or political setting.
Lesson summaries / exit passes.
Vocabulary
Word maps are fabulous for:
Lessons focused on improving vocabulary in students who struggle with literacy or English language learners. Scatter on your page words that are both a mix of the parts of speech and complexity. Eg: Beach days (topic): aqueous, undulating, crest, scalding, sand, towel, languid, sunbathers, surf, bold…
Note: less is sometimes more for strugglers. Avoid too many words, at least until they get used to the idea of word mapping. Working in pairs is a good idea for such students.
Subjects that teach units loaded with new vocabulary. Eg: science, food technology.
Text studies
Encouraging students to think about how aspects of a text work together to illustrate a main idea will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the text.
Add different aspects of your studied text to your page to encourage students to make those connections. This also reminds them of (revises) those key aspects like quotations, symbols, characters, events, settings etc.
The word map in the picture here was designed in a bit of a hurry as a quick lesson starter, but tailoring it more thoughtfully with evidence relating to a main idea would be fabulous.
Getting more out of your students
Ask students to think of at least three connections that are original, out of left-field, might instigate a bit of debate when presented to the class!
Encourage students to ask 2-3 questions about links. They can highlight these so they stand out from their other notes.
Students can then pitch these questions to the class. You could assign 3-4 students to take note of the discussion.
In the example here, ISOLATION and EMPATHY have been linked with the question, “Does too much isolation affect empathy?” Class discussion around this could explore what extent might isolation enhance or crush empathy.
Add other concepts such as words relating to intertextuality, literary traditions, literary theories, or a text’s context. Ooof! Juicy! Great for extension or scholarship students!
Have students create their own page of words, then swap with a friend who maps them. To keep this effective, give students limits and a focus – eg: You have ten minutes to write down six-ten words, phrases or quotes relating to ____. This way, students must think twice – once to create an effective task, then again to complete the mapping.
The more I think about word maps, the more uses I find for them. Put in a bit of extra prep for really focused work, or just fall back on something quick and basic for those days when you just 'can't'! Enjoy!
Comments