Week 5: June 3rd-9th 

This week we were assigned to create an Inspiration Diagram. I decided to focus on the topic of Lead poisoning in children. I think I decided to follow this topic because in Southwest Detroit there has been a great increase in lead poisoning in children. Lead poisoning is connected with low-income housing and I believe this is why there has been such an increase in Detroit. I know I have a few children that have higher lead levels, In creating the diagram I liked that it taught me to summarize my thoughts, into precise sentences. You can't write a paragraph on a diagram, and it helps you to really get to the basics of your thoughts/ideas.  I liked the diagram as something I can use when I am trying to write a paper, or create a new project. I definitely think it is a for an older group of students, but younger children in higher elementary or middle school would be able to figure it out with playing around and instruction. I think this is a great tool that encourages one to think about their outline of their work, project, paper, etc. It is a good way to also make sure to keep your resources in order for your paper. I think if this were free, it would be something that I would use in the future as a tool to helping me write my paper. Instead of just sitting down and letting everything just come to me. I don't think this is a concept I can use in my class, but definitely something I can use in the future. I found it to be a great tool and encourage anyone to try out the 30 day trial! Below is an article I found that talks about how Inspiration diagrams allow the students to brainstorm and learn differently than they normally would in a classroom. It talks about the approach from the writing an essay point of view also. It walks you through how to incorporate diagrams and this program into you classroom! :) 

http://www.wtvi.com/teks/02_03_articles/inspiration.html