Monday, April 25, 2011

Circle Maps: Get Ready to Brainstorm


After reading lots of information on our country's symbols I selected some important ones that I want the children to become familiar with (yes, there is a method to my madness). They will cut these out and place them in this map. I made boxes since this helps them spacially. I am still reminding them not to push down on their glue sticks and "paint" their paper! You know exactly what I am talking about. We are ripping through glue at top speed.
This map is for brainstorming but obviously I had to work on building their background of knowledge. Some teachers laminate a big empty circle map and add the information on strips using velcro. We practice the language of the map by saying "__________is a symbol of the USA." If you want this click here to download and please leave a comment. If you are blogger you can grab my button and be sure to join as a friend!
Have a great day of teaching!
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19 comments:

  1. MaryannApril 26, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    Hi Fran!
    I am ready to go shopping at your site!! I hope you will be selling your wonderful ideas soon! I wish I could attend your training on "maps". Maybe you should think about presenting at SDE conference!!
    Take care and keepup the great work!
    Maryann
    brennemm@carlisleschools.org

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  2. kinderpondApril 26, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Love this! Wish I could teach about this- maybe next year I can squeeze it in somewhere :)


    Jennifer

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  3. PaigeApril 26, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Thank you for sharing this awesome resource!

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  4. Mommy2CVCApril 26, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Love your stuff! Can't wait until you sell more of your maps!!!

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  5. PamApril 26, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    You are so creative! I love all of your stuff and look forward to seeing what you come up with daily. You are an inspiration!

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  6. AngieApril 26, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful resources. I really appreciate your hard work.

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  7. rooneyhuntApril 26, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Hi Fran,

    Thanks for sharing another great resource! I am putting it in my file for next year. What a great addition! Your generosity is appreciated!

    ~ Amy
    ahunt@narragansett.k12.ri.us

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  8. CaseyApril 26, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Thanks you for sharing all your wonderful resources.

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  9. KatieApril 26, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing. I just filed it away for our unit we do in February!

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  10. KinderKweenApril 27, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    Many thanks for your sharing with us...you have a generous heart. Blessings to you.

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  11. CindyApril 27, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    What a neat lesson. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. KarenApril 27, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    I love it! I will use it next February... or review the symbols in May for Memorial Day!

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  13. Mrs. IbarraApril 27, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Love it! Thanks for sharing. I will be teaching symbols in a few weeks and my school will be implementing thinking maps next year. I've gotten so many ideas from your blog! =)

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  14. Fran KramerApril 27, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. The maps are magical and can be used in so many ways to support a young child's writing.

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  15. ♥ Owl in a Vowel Tree ♥April 28, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing! :)

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  16. BethanyMay 8, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Thank you for this map! I love it and can't wait to use it next year. :)

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  17. rkj032003May 20, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Thank you so very much for all of your wonderful resources...they are always a big hit with my kinder kiddos!!

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  18. morrisjlJune 4, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    I have had training on Thinking Maps, but your creations makes it so understandable and appropriate for my kinders; thanks for helping me make a connection... which in turn will help my students!

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  19. Mrs. Krouskop-SmithAugust 2, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    What a wonderful resource - thank you for sharing!

    Kool Kinders

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