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Trainings

Thinking Maps

We empower educators with tools to maximize learning for every student. Research-based professional development and training materials are at the heart of what we do.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THINKING MAPS TRAINING:

High-quality live training, either virtual or in-person, from certified Thinking Maps trainers with years of classroom experience.

A professional development model based on best practices for adult learning and aligned with Learning Forward’s recommendations for 21st-Century Professional Development.

Useful and practical teacher materials and online resources to help educators apply the strategies in the classroom.

Ongoing support and training to ensure a successful implementation through live coaching and the Thinking Maps Learning Community (TMLC).

Which Thinking Maps Training is right for you?

Take the Interactive Journey to find out!

Plan Your Journey

HIGH-QUALITY ONLINE TRAININGS

Are You Ready to Go Virtual?

Born of necessity, but nurtured and developed to be the best, Thinking Maps training is now available in a highly engaging virtual format! These live, facilitated online trainings deliver the same high-quality professional development content that you would experience in a face-to-face training. We’ve translated our learning model to a virtual format using best practices in distance learning.

BY MODELING ENGAGING PRACTICES, OUR VIRTUAL TRAINING ALLOWS SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS TO:

Save on travel costs and learn in the comfort and safety of their individual learning environments.

Choose the training sessions that fit best with everyone’s schedules, regardless of location or time zone of the trainer.

Learn how to leverage Thinking Maps to optimize learning for students in both synchronous and asynchronous learning models.

Learn best practices in distance learning or blended/hybrid learning that can be applied with all students.

Our presenter was fabulous - lots of engagement and participation. Teachers are excited and have given lots of positive feedback.

Sandra Calkins

Tucson Unified School District

I was a bit worried going into such a long block of time on Zoom each day, but Leanna was great at keeping an engaging pace. The way she used the virtual platform was multifaceted and dynamic. Both days actually passed pretty quickly and I feel so excited about sharing this content with my staff this year.

Talia Bowman

Claremont Independent School District

Don't think that because you will have to do this training virtually that it will be any less engaging or effective as in person training. It is wonderful AND you get to take your breaks in your own home!

Leigh S.

DeKalb County School District

Virtual training with Misook is so fun! She utilized the breakout rooms so effectively to maximize our interaction with other participants and create a shared learning environment. The sessions never felt long and drawn-out like some Zooms tend to feel. It's no surprise that TM once again found a way to engage the brain!

Shelly Cunningham

Region 9 ESC

FLEXIBLE TRAINING MODELS

Training Options to Meet YOUR Needs

Thinking Maps offers flexible training models to meet the needs of your teaching staff.

  • With our “Training of Trainers” model, we train and certify Teacher Leaders at your school, who deliver the Thinking Maps experience to the rest of your staff. Teacher Leaders can join one of our Regional Trainings (virtual or in-person), or we can arrange a district-wide training program for all of your Teacher Leaders.
  • Alternatively, our trainers can train your entire staff — virtually or on site.

We’ll work with you to develop a training plan that works for you.

HOW TO BUILD A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING:

Four-Part Learning Model

This training is unlike any professional development I have ever attended. The connections to ALL content areas along with the organization of the resources made learning about the Maps engaging and easy to understand!

Michelle S, Teacher

TMLC trainings are a wealth of valuable information packaged into a fun learning experience. It is hands down one of the best trainings I have attended. The instructors are sharp, witty, and extremely knowledgeable in their program. I highly recommend attending a class. You will not regret the time you invest to do so!

Jennifer W.

Academy District 20

I have been to so many trainings over the last 21 years, and this has been one of the most useful and relevant. This training was valuable and will actually change the way I teach.

Kelly P, Teacher

Featured

Thinking Maps Trainings

Below are examples of upcoming trainings. The timeline and content of trainings may vary. See the full schedule on our training calendar.

Training Calendar
Thinking Maps Foundations Training of Trainers

Thinking Maps is designed as a whole-school teaching and learning methodology. This training will equip your Teacher Leaders with the tools and expertise needed for school-wide Thinking Maps implementation. Whether you are new to Thinking Maps or are looking to build support capacity within your school staff, the Thinking Maps Foundations Training of Trainers is for you. Participants in this training will learn how to:

  • Conduct introductory workshops for whole schools.
  • Embed targeted learning opportunities into regularly scheduled planning time and/or PLCs.
  • Lead small groups or PLCs in the discussion and connection of Thinking Maps to state standards and best practices.
  • Coach and/or model the use of Thinking Maps in classrooms.
  • Monitor and assess the appropriate use of the Maps by teachers and students in order to have the greatest impact on student achievement.
  • Facilitate the school-wide use of the online Thinking Maps Learning Community to guide and support a successful implementation of Thinking Maps.
Write from the Beginning... and Beyond: Response to Text Training of Trainers

These sessions are for those who have already participated in standard Thinking Maps training. Responding to informational or literary text is closely aligned with the expository genres and is a key skill for college and career readiness as well as success on high-stakes tests. Participants in this training will learn how to:

  • Train their school’s staff in Write from the Beginning…and Beyond: Response to Text.
  • Help students comprehend a piece of text at both literal and inferential levels, synthesize what is written in the text with information included in illustrations and other visuals, and examine text with a critical eye.
  • Understand how information is organized and the impact of text structure on readers’ comprehension.
  • Effectively use rubrics to assess student proficiency.
  • Develop lesson plans and step-by-step directions for formal response to literary and informational text.
Thinking Maps: Path to Proficiency for English Language Learners Facilitator’s Training

This training is designed for educators who have been trained in Thinking Maps and are committed to leading their schools in extending and adapting the Maps to meet the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) at all proficiency levels. Participants in this training will learn how to:

  • Lead their school’s staff in implementing the principles behind Thinking Maps: Path to Proficiency for English Language Learners.
  • Scaffold and extend Thinking Maps to meet the specific needs of ELLs at all levels of language proficiency.
  • Explicitly teach language through many content areas so students can achieve Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP).
  • Teach students to recognize and replicate text structures in written discourse.
  • Develop differentiated lesson plans for ELLs of all language proficiency levels and other students with language-based learning differences.