A collection of mind maps focusing on long vowel words. Focusing on the sounds /a_e/, /ay/, /ee/, /i_e/, /o_e/, /oa/, & /u_e/.

What is a Mind Map?

A mind map is a diagram that can help with visualizing an idea. It encourages divergent thinking which allows young learners to come up with multiple answers.

Mind maps are becoming more popular in schools and are used as a teaching method to help get past by linear thinking. It can help to solve problems, define goals, and think of a bigger picture. For these set of worksheets, the mind map is already completed that can help expand on a students’ ideas or discoveries.

Teaching the concept of a mind map is simple! Here is a simple teaching step by step guide that can be used for any lesson and level.

  • Think of a problem you are trying to solve or something to expand on. Put it the word or image in the middle of the page, in a circle.
  • Think of new ideas related to the circle. In this case, a phonetic sound. Anything the student can think of, draw a line with their idea or discovery. You can also draw pictures!
  • Keep on going until the page is filled! To encourage more creativity, allow the student to use different colours to use. This can help them structure their ideas better and even allow categorization!

Phonics

Phonics is essential for children to decode letters into their respective sounds, a skill that makes independent reading more efficient. Phonetic reading is very important in the education of children. Phonetic reading can help children learn new words independently.

The main advantage of phonics is that is it helps increase a child’s fluency in reading. Fluency does not regard speed, it means reading the text accurately with the correct pronunciation. Through practice the speed that a child can read will be built up.

Blending is key when it comes to phonics. It involves combining all the sounds to make the word. The hardest obstacle for teachers is getting the students to understand the technique. Through practice and patient, students will be able to pick it up.

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