Overview:
Students will create a concept map centered on a key ELA topic (e.g., Theme, Character Development, or Text Structure) to visually organize and connect ideas from a literary text. This promotes higher-order thinking, deeper comprehension, and stronger analytical writing.

Target Grade: 5th grade

Duration: 2–3 class periods

Example Concept Mapping Tools:

• Lucidchart

• Canva

• Google Drawings

• MindMup

Aligned to Common Core State Standards for ELA:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.3: Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

• Identify and map key ideas in a literary or informational text.

• Use visuals and linking words to show relationships between characters, themes, and events.

• Collaborate and present their concept maps with peers using digital tools.

Theme- The underlying message or big idea in a story.

Character Arc- How a character changes throughout the story.

Text Evidence- Quotes or details from a text that support your ideas.

Node- A point or bubble in a concept map that holds a key idea.

Connector- Arrows or lines that show how nodes relate to one another.

🧩 Digital Scavenger Hunt: Find 3 quotes that show the theme and link them to a central node.

🧠 Peer Feedback Padlet Wall: Upload your concept map and comment on 2 others.

🎤 Gallery Walk: Students do a virtual gallery walk of everyone's maps and leave comments.