Unit Three: Flow Map
Return to: Thinking Maps Mini Course
Objectives
- What is the Purpose of a Flow Map?
- Thinking Process/Key Words
- How to create a Flow Map
- Activity/Assessment
What is a Flow Map?
Flow maps can be used to show the steps of a process or a cycle. It allows you and students to show how events are related to one another. Some flow maps are also created using substages but not are not always necessary. The substages would include "actions" that happened within each segment of the event being described. Flow maps do not always need to be completed in a straight line. The water cycle or rock cycle is often created in a circular flow map.
Download and Save this the Flow Map template for an activity and assessment further down.
When to use a Flow?
It is best to use this type of map when you want students to:
- Describe a secqence of events
- Visualize the steps to completing an activity.
- Putting items in order
Key words for this map:
- Sequence
- Put in order
- Retell
- Cycle
- Patterns
- Processes
- Change
- Multi-step problems
How to Create a Flow Map?
- Write the name of the event at the top of your work space
- The main stages of the event should be listed chronologically in large rectangles moving from left to right across the paper.
- Draw an arrow from the first box to the next to show the flow of events.
- After reaching the end of the first row, you may continue to the next row to add additional rectangles.
- If more details about each stage are necessary, you may add smaller rectangles with substages under the major stage.
Assessment
Using the file provided above, create and upload your finished Flow Map into this google doc.