School+Tools

= Tools Way Cool for School = toc

Create a Concept Map
Last week you had an opportunity to get to know (3) different concept mapping tools, Gliffy, Bubbl.us, and Webspiration. This week you are going to select (1) tool to create a concept map for English class. Gena has offered three different choices for concept mapping. If you do an upstanding job, Gena has promised to offer **UP TO 20 points** in **extra credit** in her English class. She encourages you to utilize text quotes to support your ideas in the concept maps.

Using your knowledge of the novel //Flowers for Algernon//, create a concept map on ONE of the topics listed below. Print out your work at the end of class and turn it in to either Cole or Sarah.
 * Today's Discovery Task:**

You have heard the saying, "Ignorance is Bliss". How does knowledge impact Charlie emotionally over the course of the story? Think about his quest for knowledge and how that impacts his life for good or bad. Use a concept map to trace Charlie's emotional impact of knowledge throughout the story.
 * Topic 1: "Ignorance is Bliss"**

Should we use science to improve people's lives? Use a concept map to explore this idea. How does science improve Charlie's life? How does science negatively affect Charlie's life? What moral issues surround the use of science to enhance Charlie's life? Draw a conclusion about the moral issue of using science to improve people's lives.
 * Topic 2: Science**

What is the role of familial responsibility? Did Charlie's family live up to theirs? Did Charlie live up to his familial responsibilities? Use text quotes to support your ideas. Create a concept map showing the theme of familial responsibility throughout the novel.
 * Topic 3: Family**

Organization/Concept Maps
Creating a web for a prewrite in English class? Do you need to make a flow chart of a scientific process or a diagram of a food chain in science class? How about a historical sequence map for a major even or battle? Need help organizing your essay and you are a visual person? Try out one of these mind mapping/concept mapping tools. All three tools are free, online, and pretty easy to use.

Explore ALL THREE of the concept mapping tools listed below. Once you have tried each of them out, determine which one you plan on using for one of your academic subjects. Come prepared next week with notes and/or books from one of your classes. We will create a concept map using the software you prefer the most.
 * Today's Discovery Task:**

[|Gliffy] Free software that allows you to create diagrams--you do not need to sign up to try it out, but if you want to share, save, or embed the work, you have to sign up for a free account.

[|Bubbl.us] Free software that allows you to create brainstorming bubble maps online--no sign up required to try it out

[|Webspiration] Open source beta software for concept mapping and online thinking in a collaborative environment--sign up to try it out

[|Quizlet] [[image:quizletlogo.jpg align="right" caption="Don't let the words get you down..."]]
Are your teachers slamming you with crazy vocab? Are you tired of trying to make your own flashcards? Would you like a built-in study partner and game tailored just to your word list? Then QUIZLET is for you! You can access oodles of publicly posted vocabulary lists, like the Top 100 SAT words, for instance. OR, create your OWN account and make your own word lists! Try the game SCATTER, print your own flashcards, and play SPACE RACE!

-After you explore some of the already posted word lists on Quizlet and try out some of the games to see how they work, sign up for your very own Quizlet account. Be certain that you use your new gmail email address when you sign up (protect your digital footprint!).
 * Today's Discovery Task:**

-Then, take a current list of vocabulary words for one of your academic classes and create a new Quizlet word list under your account login.

-Show your teacher your complete flashcards, so that you earn credit for today's learning activities.