A concept map is a visual tool that helps with organizing ideas and showing the relationships between ideas and concepts. It’s also a great way to show what you are learning and to help you remember information.

To get started with a concept map, it helps to know what information you want to represent on your concept map. A focus question like, “What are characteristics of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab,” can help to narrow down where to begin.

Concept maps are usually organized with the main idea or main concept in a box at the top. Other nodes, or connecting boxes, flow downward from the main concept.

Related concepts and ideas are represented in the boxes that flow from the main concept.

Linking words or phrases are added to the lines to show how concepts are related. The linking words help to form statements that makes sense about the relationship. For example: Chesapeake Bay blue crabs have five stages of growth.

Arrows can also be used to show relationships between concepts. Read in the direction of the arrow. For example, "Chesapeake Bay blue crabs are enjoyed by Marylanders who live near the Chesapeake Bay."

You can always add nodes and linking words to your concept map as you learn more about a topic. You may also discover that you want to move some concepts around to better represent your ideas and connections between them. There are many ways to express ideas with concept maps.

Here are some tips to keep your concept map clear and organized:
1. Include color coding or symbols to connect ideas that fit into similar groups.

2. Use pictures to illustrate some concepts and ideas.

3. Keep phrases short and simple. You want to form a statement that makes sense.

4. Finally, stay focused on a key question or questions to avoid too many nodes that are difficult to follow.