Being a science teacher, writing and organizing is often apart of my instruction and lessons. Although students practice these techniques in Language Arts, they often forget that skills do transfer across the curriculum ("Why do we need to write in science?"). I found this bubbl.us tool that allows students to prepare for writing assignments by organizing their thoughts/paragraphs for essays via concept maps. This tool is so easy to use (yes, it is free also) for teachers and students. The help tool allows you step by step, in the moment assistance to make the process painless and fun! The bubbles are labelled as 'family' members to distinguish between them. You can create a child or sibling balloon depending on where you click on your original bubble. You can also control other aspects of the bubble from the original bubble as well. Did I say easy and fun already?
The user can also collaborate on concept maps in addition to share work with others (so no need for teachers to recreate something that has already been made). I have made a concept map for Cells and asked that the students use the words in a reflective writing assignment on what we've covered.
The next assignment will be that they use this tool to organize their thoughts for an essay on a science article/prompt from USAToday.com as I have partnered with them to get students to read in science.
Here is a link to an article sample that I would have them use. http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0711-identical_twins_identical_problems.htm
They are used to writing their responses on paper, however this would be much more efficient, easy to access, cut down on clutter and allow them to share with as many people as they like.
I am going to have fun with this as well as share it with the reading and language arts teachers in my building.
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