Question 1

What grade level is the Mind Map tool for?

Accepted Answer

The tool is designed for grades 3–5 (ages 8–12), though it works well for any K–6 student. Younger students can use the sentence stems as scaffolding, while older students can add more complex thinking to each branch.

Question 2

What are the six thinking branches?

Accepted Answer

The six IB-aligned thinking branches are: Prior Knowledge (what you already know), Questions (things you wonder about), Opinions and Feelings (what you think and believe), Connections (links to other ideas or experiences), Research (what you want to find out), and Ideas and Solutions (creative responses or plans). Each branch includes ready-made sentence stems to help students get started.

Question 3

Is the Mind Map tool free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is completely free. No account, login, or download is required. Students and teachers can access it directly in any web browser.

Question 4

How do students share their mind map with their teacher?

Accepted Answer

Students can share their finished mind map in three ways: print it directly, save it as a PDF, or use the Share by Email button to send it to their teacher. Students can also enter their name on the map before sharing.

Question 5

Is this mind map tool aligned with IB PYP?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The six thinking branches are based on IB Approaches to Learning (ATL) thinking skills. The tool was designed by an IB PYP certified educator and supports inquiry-based learning, making it a natural fit for IB PYP units of inquiry across all subject areas.

Question 6

What devices does the Mind Map tool work on?

Accepted Answer

The tool runs in any modern web browser on laptops, desktop computers, Chromebooks, and tablets. No app download or installation is needed.

Question 7

Can the Mind Map tool be used for any subject?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The tool is subject-neutral — students simply type their own topic into the centre. It works for science inquiries, literacy responses, social studies research, maths concepts, or any IB unit of inquiry.