Welcome to the eleventh episode of the Writing Tip Wednesday series! This week’s tip is all about teaching students to brainstorm writing ideas through a heart map.
What Is A Heart Map?
A heart map is exactly what it sounds like—a map shaped like a heart that students fill with drawings or words representing things that are important to them. These might include favorite memories, people they love, places they’ve visited, or even hobbies they enjoy. The heart map becomes a visual brainstorming tool that students can refer back to when they need inspiration for personal narratives
Introducing the Heart Map
Start by explaining to your students that a heart map helps writers think about what matters most to them. Show them an example of a completed heart map so they understand what it looks like. Then, guide a brief discussion by asking:
- What are some things that make you happy?
- Who are the important people in your life?
- What are your favorite memories?
- What places do you love to visit?
Encourage students to think of specific moments or details instead of general ideas. For example, instead of writing “family,” they might write “baking cookies with my grandma” or “camping with my cousins.”
Creating the Heart Map
- Distribute the template: Provide students with a blank heart-shaped template. You can either print heart outlines or have students draw their own.
- Filling in the heart: Ask students to think about the questions you discussed earlier and begin filling their hearts with words or small drawings. They can write names of people, special memories, or things they love. Encourage students to fill their hearts as much as possible with specific details.
- Color-coding (optional): For an added layer of organization, students can color-code different parts of their heart. For example:
- Red for family
- Blue for favorite places
- Green for hobbies or interests
This visual differentiation helps students quickly locate topics when they’re searching for narrative ideas.
Using the Heart Map for Writing
Once students have completed their heart maps, they’ll have a treasure trove of ideas to draw from whenever it’s time to write. Here are some ways you can incorporate heart maps into your writing routine:
- Planning: Before beginning a personal narrative, have students refer to their heart maps to choose a topic that resonates with them.
- Ideas: When students struggle to come up with ideas, point them to their heart maps for inspiration. For example, you might ask, “Can you write about a time you felt really happy, like the memory you included in your heart map?”
- Bulletin Board: Create a bulletin board of heart maps. This not only gives students easy access to their ideas but also builds a sense of community as they see what matters to their classmates.
Adding to the Heart Map
The heart map is not a one-and-done activity. As students grow throughout the year, encourage them to add to their maps. Perhaps after a holiday break or a special classroom event, students can update their heart maps with new memories and experiences. This allows the heart map to evolve with the student and ensures it remains a relevant tool for idea generation.
Resources Helpful with Today's Episode:
- Second Grade Writing Units (narrative unit coming soon)
- Heart Map - available to email subscribers (sign up by grabbing the free resource below)
Get my FREE K-3 Writing Skills Progression - perfect for getting started with a writing pre-assessment here or by clicking above, https://sharedteaching.com/writing-skills-progression/