I first heard about creating concept maps years ago, but never knew anything about it. I saw it as a strategy on readingrockets.org. I put my own touch to it when I use it in my classroom. I usually have my students do characteristics of the concept, examples of the concept, words connected to the concept. This leads us to our final area on the concept map, a student created definition.This strategy works in all curriculum areas. The thing I most like about concept mapping is that it allows the students to create their own examples and add their own ideas to the new concept we are discussing.