Concept mapping is a visual tool to show relationships between topics and ideas. It structures concepts around a central topic with connected keywords or phrases in different layers based on importance. Different shapes or colors denote the layers, with the main topic in the center connected to the first layer of key concepts, which are then connected to more specific concepts in the second layer. To create a concept map, a main topic is placed in the center and surrounded by the most important keywords or concepts in the first layer, with those connected to more detailed concepts in subsequent layers using consistent shapes or colors to distinguish the levels.

1. Concept Mapping
What is Concept
Mapping?
What do the
different shapes on
the Concept Map
mean?
How do I create a
Concept Map?

2. What is Concept Mapping?
• The purpose of a Concept Map is to visually show the
relationships between topics and ideas.
• Concept Maps are formed around a main topic surrounded by
keywords or short phrases that can be connected to the main
topic.
• A Concept Map is a helpful tool to use because with it you can
organize your ideas into layers based on the importance or
significance of each keyword or concept.

3. What do the Different Shapes
on a Concept Map mean?
• Concept Maps can
come in many different
shapes and/or colors.
• The shapes and/or
colors indicate a
change in layers.
• The actual shape
and/or color used
doesn’t matter, as long
as all the ideas in a
particular layer use the
same shape and/or
color.
In this example, the rectangles represent layer 1
and the clouds represent layer 2.

4. How do I Create a Concept Map?
• First, select a main
topic.
• The main topic will go
in a the center of the
map (typically in a
circle or oval shape).
• The main topic should
be written as a single
word or a short
phrase. Do NOT write
a sentence.
Training my
German Shepherd

5. How do I Create a Concept Map?
• Second, create the first
layer. Select a new shape
and/or color to represent
this layer.
• The first layer should
contain three to five key
ideas which are most
important to the main
topic.
• Connect the key ideas on
this layer directly back to
the main topic.
• Each key idea should be
written as a single word or
a short phrase. Do NOT
write a sentence.
Training my
German
Shepherd
Training
Techniques
Types of
Tricks
Rewards
Commands

6. How do I Create a Concept Map?
• Thirds, create the second
layer. Select a new shape
and/or color to represent
this layer.
• The second layer should
contain two to three key
ideas for EACH of the items
in the first layer.
• Connect the key ideas on
the second layer directly
back to the appropriate
topic in the first layer.
• Each key idea should be
written as a single word or
a short phrase. Do NOT
write a sentence.
Training my
German
Shepherd
Training
Techniques Types of Tricks
Rewards Commands
Verbal
Commands
Nonverbal
Commands
Sit Play dead
Retrieve
Treats
Verbal
Rewards
Affection
Whistles Clicks