‘Thinking Maps allow you to see where you have made your mistake, and how to show your math in words that make sense”
Student

The statistics indicate considerable growth in mathematical achievement, so how and why does applying thinking maps in math instruction improve math ability as measured on these tests? Qualitative results in the form of student and teacher anecdotal reports and instructional logs indicate that thinking maps support mathematical thinking by enabling students and teachers to clearly and visually explain, understand, monitor, and assess mathematical processes and problems.

Students who typically find math enjoyable and readily grasp new concepts are those who have developed and utilize analytical skills. According to some researchers, “giving students advanced organizers does have the desired effect of increasing recall of critical information” (Deshler, Schumaker, Lenz, and Ellis, 1984) Additionally, students with learning disabilities “experience deficits in cognitive processes including disorganization, acquisition, retrieval, integration or association, expression, sequencing, analyzing, and evaluating information,” according to Wallace and McLoughlin (1988) With thinking maps, teachers are able to graphically demonstrate and model analytical thinking to students, furthering opportunities for them to develop, practice, enhance, and apply the analytical skills necessary to be able to truly understand and apply mathematical concepts.

Read the complete chapter in the book Student Successes With Thinking Maps. Key sections from the chapter The Challenge of High Stakes Testing in Middle School Mathematics with excerpts above include:

• Facing Myself and My Students
• Beyond Intuition
• Results: Gains in Developmental Growth
• Thinking Maps: A Bridge to Success
• Beyond Test Scores

Janie B. MacIntyre, M.Ed. is a middle school teacher, researcher, and educational consultant who was named as a USA Today Teacher Team member and a Christa McAuliffe Scholar. As a trainer with Innovative Learning Group, she has facilitated Thinking Maps training with over 3000 teachers in multiple states.