Concept Mapping: Staying Healthy

Concept Mapping can be great for everyone! It is especially great for students in the lower elementary grades because they can be made by teachers to be colorful and interesting for their students. It helps with the following NETS-T Standard: 
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:
 design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

I think this because concept maps adapt to relevant learning experiences. They can reach low vision students and even deaf students (outline view can be used to read to deaf students) They are a great way for kids to explore new topics. Although, concept maps can seem difficult to make, once you get the hang of a concept map program, such as Kidspiration 2, they are actually fun to make! They can also be great for older students to use as a study tool in high school or college. Above is a photo of a concept map that I created to teach second graders about staying healthy. The map includes links to four websites to give children more information on the given topics. The concept map was actually really fun to make.