H-Map Graphic Organizer

Several years ago I took an excellent workshop called Project CRISS. There were so many great student focused strategies and easy to implement ideas that I'm still using so many years later. One of them was an alternative to the tried and true Venn Diagram, called the H-Map. It's basically the same concept as the good ol' Venn...

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but it makes so much more sense! Instead of overlapping circles, the diagram is a huge H. The little center section that is nearly impossible for kids to write legibly in, is now a rectangle instead of a skinny  lemon shape. Here's an example my kids made after we discussed postcards and letters. {More coming on that lesson soon}

See how much better?? I never really use a Venn Diagram anymore, but on the rare occasion that I do, I'm instantly reminded why I hate them!  

I created one that that you can try out this month if you're studying Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It goes along with this book, which is one of my faves. It's actually written by Dr. King's sister. It tells the story of growing up as children with Martin as her brother. It's a glimpse of what he was like as a young boy. It's really a great read and one that the kids can easily relate to.

After reading, you can have the kids reflect on the book and how their life compares to that of Dr. King using this H-Map. Just click {HERE} to download from GoogleDocs.

There are a lot of other great goodies for MLK on this week's Show & Tell Tuesday, too. Click {HERE} to check it out if you missed it.

T.G.I.F. my friends!