Engaging Students with Concept Mapping Activities

Concept mapping is something that I wish my teachers would have stressed more when I was younger. It is a great tool to use when trying to connect ideas, elaborate on ideas, or when combining multiple ideas. It can be extremely helpful if used correctly, and will be highly beneficial to use in primary classrooms like mine.
I can use concept mapping in many different ways. One thing that I really liked about this particular program is that you can use pictures to help concept map. Since I will be working with the kindergarten and 1st grade years, the students will still be struggling to use the right words effectively. Pictures can be helpful to create a visual and make sure that they know what they are connecting.
Something else that I found about this program was that you can personalize a concept map by subject too. The different templates help the students have a starting point, and make it easy for them to begin their mapping. The colors and way that you can really create your own map to be unique will help young students. Hopefully this will help them be involved in the activities and feel that they get a real say in the concept mapping process.
I can use the concept mapping activities in many ways in my classroom. One way is to engage students in their learning. An example of this is if I have visual learner. Giving them a concept map or letting them make on themselves will probably enhance their understanding of the material. If I give my student a page of notes they will probably struggle, but letting them see how the ideas and concepts are connected could really help grasp the subject manner. This could also help with students that are ADHD. If a student can get interactive with his/her education instead of be lectured it can help increase the amount of attention they pay.
Lastly, concept mapping can change the way my studnets can demonstrate an understanding of topics. This tool can show me what my students think about the topics, and how they relate. I can utilize it not only to assess their knowledge, but to understand what I must teach more clearly. If every student or most are confused about a certain aspect, then obviously I am not doing my job.