Abstract
Thinking Maps is a language of eight visual patterns, each based on a fundamental thought process, designed by Dr. David N. Hyerle[1]. The visual patterns are based on cognitive skills and applied in all content areas. Not only are they used in different combinations for depth and complexity, but are also used by all members in the school community. Mt. Airy Elementary School, Maryland in the USA has achieved outstanding results after using Thinking Maps for years. Students in Taiwan are afraid of writing English essays, in which it becomes an island wide problem in all the schools. Using Thinking Maps while writing English essays helps the students in the elementary schools in Taiwan to start their English essay writing and build their structures in thinking and mapping their thoughts. Centre of College Entrance Examination in Taiwan declared in 2009 that more than15 percentage of students had gotten a zero on their English writing. Only fewer researches are relevant to English writing during the past twenty years. The purpose of this teaching project tried to use Thinking Maps to build up the skills of English writing. Moreover, the researcher designed games in teaching. No matter the beginners or skill students enjoy English writing instead of fear. This writing project finds out that Thinking Maps help most of the students in developing good structure, providing more and more ideas for them to use in their own essay writing no matter if they have experience in writing or not. As a result, the students are confident in English writing, therefore, Thinking Maps is a new teaching method to be considered for all the teachers in Taiwan.
Highlights
Taiwanese students have a similar background as Singapore students do, the researcher uses Thinking Maps in writing English curriculum in the elementary school
From the chart it is obvious that Thinking Maps make the students feel writing is not hard
We found out that most of the students go to English cram schools when they start English class at school, yet their writing ability isn’t built up
Summary
Lesson two Writing Activity: Brainstorming BUBBLE MAPS AND TREE MAPS DEMO: Let students call out objects to recycle as you write them on the board. Ask the students the 6 WH questions draw more Bubble Maps on the white board to write down the ideas. You can let students come up one at a Things we can make from recycled trash: time and fill different Bubble Maps on the board. Guide students how to use the Bubble Maps and Tree Maps to show their ideas from their mind by themselves. Activity Chart in the ‘Brainstorming’ activity and discuss things you can recycle & what we can make with them After they ask the other classmates, they can draw Bubble Write the questions from the hand out on the board. Write the 5 parts of an essay on the board as follows: Topic
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