Tree Maps Are Growing In My Kinder Room

Here is a typical tree map you might create in your classroom. What makes it unique are several features. First,the words is and has have been scaffolded by color coding them. The word and is placed between these two words to practice stronger sentences. This can then be built into a pocket chart and students can read more complex language. More capable students will be able to take this concept to their writing after practicing this. Remember, children need to read the map! This map is for sorting and categorizing information. What do you do to make the maps kinder friendly? Leave a comment and share your great ideas!

My friend Pam came up with the idea of a circle map for our garden theme and I just made it a little "fancy." The boxes are to help the kids leave spaces between their pictures. I can't wait to use this as an independent activity. Maybe they can label their pictures?

I came up with the idea of boxes to help our youngest learners at the beginning of the year orient theirpictures in a way that is meaningful. I taught them the terms top, bottom, right, and left. My teammates love this since our kids tend to cover the map with too many choices. Remember this map is for brainstorming ideas.
Is anyone a Thinking Maps trainer of trainers?