According to Wikipedia, “Thinking Maps are a set of techniques used in primary and secondary education (K-12). There are eight diagram types that are intended to correspond with eight different fundamental thinking processes.” “Thinking Maps are visual tools for learning, and include eight visual patterns each linked to a specific cognitive process.”
Circle map can be used for defining in context, and is very useful for brainstorming;
Bubble map can be used for describing things;
Flow map is useful for sequencing, and can be thought as a simple version of flowchart;
Brace map is good at identifying part/whole relationship;
Tree map can be used for classifying and grouping;
Double bubble map is useful for comparing and contrasting;
Multi-flow map is best for analyzing causes and effects;
Bridge map can be used for illustrating analogies.
All students should try to learn how to use those thinking maps for better learning experiences. In addition to K-12 education, thinking maps can also be used for lifelong learning because they help visualize your thinking or represent your abstract thoughts with concrete visuals. Visualization is always a good way to organize ideas and information for easier understanding and learning.
In the attachment, there are the templates for all those 8 thinking maps. There are also some sample implementation by primary school students.