THINKING MAPS HALL OF FAME
The explanation of and characteristics for each Level come from Thinking Maps®: A Language for Leadership by Larry Alper, David Hyerle & Chris Yeager. Below are all of the schools in the northeast that have committed to a whole school implementation with Thinking Maps. Note that Level 3 status is correlated with a significant impact on student achievement.
EXPLORING
At the Exploring Level, a school community is excited about and interested in the possibilities of Thinking Maps. Schools that are Exploring level include schools where: some staff were exposed to Thinking Maps in a previous school or district… a team member heard about Thinking Maps in a course or from a peer… some staff went to visit a school with a full Thinking Maps implementation and got some ideas… Educators searched for Thinking Maps on the internet and were inspired. Schools that are in the Exploring stage have not been trained in Thinking Maps and are not resourced for an implementation that will have an impact on student achievement. The primary goal here is to build interest, enthusiasm, and commitment to a high integrity, high fidelity implementation.
LEVEL 1 - INTRODUCING
At Level 1, the school community is informed, prepared and ready to implement Thinking Maps. An Implementation Team that represents all content areas and grade levels is in place. This team is made up of trained Leaders and certified Trained Trainers. A detailed Plan of Action for the 12 Week Roll Out has been developed and all staff are fully resourced and have attended the Day 1 training. Leaders are using multiple Maps to enhance and support their roles and responsibilities as leaders.
- STAY TUNED!
LEVEL 2 - EMERGING
At Level 2, all 8 Thinking Maps® have been formally introduced to students and parents. Thinking Maps are used by teachers and school leaders and the general use of the Maps is evident in school displays. Schools that have achieved Level 2 submit a portfolio that includes evidence of: Plan of Action, Leadership use of multiple Maps, Teacher application of Maps, a Parent Support Plan, and celebration of teacher effort. See each school below for photos, videos, and downloadable PDFs documenting their journey to Level 2 Status. (DISCLAIMER: Some of their Maps may not be 100% accurate. These are schools at Level 2 and their portfolio reflects their journey from the start.)
Click below to learn more about the 3 most recent schools to achieve Level 2 Accreditation. Click HERE for the entire Level 2 list.
Click HERE for the entire list of Level 2 accredited schools
LEVEL 3 - TRANSFERRING
By the end of Level 3, the use of Thinking Maps® extends to all areas of the curriculum, with evidence of multiple Map use, thinking vocabulary, and applications in PLCs and leadership practices. Portfolio submissions for Level 3 schools demonstrate multiple Mapping through leadership collections and instructional units of study that include teacher and student exemplars. Map Accuracy for teachers is consistently high.
Click HERE for the entire list of Level 3 accredited schools
LEVEL 4 - DEEPENING
At Level 4, Thinking Maps® are used spontaneously and collaboratively across the curriculum and outside the content areas, extending beyond the school. Thinking Maps® are fully embedded in all learning and problem solving processes at all levels. Schools at Level 4 are well into application of the advanced Thinking Maps® courses in Comprehension, Writing, and Differentiation.
- STAY TUNED!
Click HERE for the entire list of Level 4 accredited schools
LEVEL 5 - SUSTAINING
At Level 5, novel and reflective applications of Thinking Maps® are evident for all members of the school community. Thinking Maps® are used for meta-cognition, self-assessment and integrated into a variety of school-wide assessment processes. Schools at Level 5 have completed and implemented the full suite of Thinking Maps®offerings with continued fidelity.
- STAY TUNED!
Click HERE for the entire list of Level 5 accredited schools