1:1:2 Mind mapping

Activity duration: 10 minutes

Mind mapping is a creative way to group ideas and concepts generated by a brainstorm. It involves recording a central idea and linking or grouping related ideas which radiate from this topic. Follow the simple procedures below to get your pupils to generate their own mind map. Below are instructions on creating two different kinds.

Resources: 1 sheet of paper per group (or printable template), marker pens.

A. Create a mind map using your brainstorm:

1. Pupils group together related ideas that have been generated on the original brainstorming sheet.
2. Encourage them to use different coloured pens/highlighters to group together same or similar ideas recorded on the brainstorming sheet. This will reinforce the best ideas that have been touched on and create links between same or similar ideas.

Alternatively…

B. Create a mind map from scratch:

1. From the brainstorming session identify one key idea or topic for focussing further discussion and evaluation.
2. Write this key idea in the centre of a page of blank paper (click here to download a printable version).
3. Draw branches radiating out from the central idea. Pupils can use lines, colours, arrows, pictures, or some other way of showing connections between the ideas generated on the mind map.
4. Remind pupils to draw quickly without pausing, judging or editing.
5. Pupils should leave space on the mind map in order to allow for additions or ideas to be highlighted, over time.

	Click here to see an example of a mind map B as described
	Click here to download a printable version of a mind mapping template for use from scratch.

For more information or templates of mind maps visit:

• Te Kete Ipurangi: The Online Learning Centre: www.tki.org.nz/r/integration/curriculum/resources/inquiry_gos/instructions_e.php
• Graphic Organizers: www.graphic.org/goindex.html