How to Use Mind Maps to Teach Difficult Grammar Points

Use mind maps for more than just reviewing vocabulary with your students. These handy learning tools work by clustering ideas around a central theme, thus enhancing learning by association. Mind maps also provide a solid frame of reference that learning specialists report is necessary for learning to take place. Mind maps work best when you tailor them to your students' needs on a class by class basis.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Create a title that clearly indicates the grammar point you're teaching. Position the title at the top center of the mind map.

2. Limit each mind map to one specific grammar point. Select the points by prioritizing students' needs. Consider tackling the least difficult grammar points first and then progressing to the more difficult ones.

3. Brainstorm sentences showing the correct and incorrect ways to use the grammar points you've chosen. For example, write the sentences "its a good idea" and "it's a good idea" next to each other.

4. Position questions beneath each sentence. Formulate questions with key words designed to help students recall specific grammar rules. For example, write the question, "can you replace 'its' with 'it is' in this sentence?"

5. Guide students' responses to these questions toward the correct use of the grammar point. For example, if a student responds "yes" to that question, draw a line from the affirmative response to the proper form of the sentence.

6. Finish the mind map with at least three more examples of the same grammar point. Center the applicable grammar rule in boldface type at the bottom of the mind map.

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