G is for Graphic Organizers
What are graphic organizers?
Graphic organizers are visual templates that can be used for any type of work. For example, you might make a mind map for a piece of writing that you are doing as a frame for the actual writing. You might watch a video and fill in a graphic organizer with specific details about who, what, when, where, why, and how. They can come in almost any shape or form and can be used for nearly any assignment or project. I have used them in English, Social Studies, Science, and Health. I have even used them on tests. I have attached several files here of graphic organizers I have created or adjusted.
Graphic organizers are visual templates that can be used for any type of work. For example, you might make a mind map for a piece of writing that you are doing as a frame for the actual writing. You might watch a video and fill in a graphic organizer with specific details about who, what, when, where, why, and how. They can come in almost any shape or form and can be used for nearly any assignment or project. I have used them in English, Social Studies, Science, and Health. I have even used them on tests. I have attached several files here of graphic organizers I have created or adjusted.
resilience_essay_graphic_organizer.pub | |
File Size: | 122 kb |
File Type: | pub |
reading_strategy_graphic_organizer.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
description_of_me_graphic_organizer.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
kwl_graphic_organizer.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Why are graphic organizers an effective classroom tool?
Graphic organizers are very effective as a scaffolding tool. It helps students to have a plan for their writing before they actually begin. When used in writing workshop, I have found that it is very effective for helping students to focus on the information they want to include in their writing, and when they are actually writing, they can focus in on the actual writing process. It is also very helpful for students who are visual learners and need to "see" the information and how it relates to other concepts or facts. It can help students build relationships between concepts as they organize it into shapes or categories.
Below are a few examples of mind maps my students have made for science journals. They pick out key information from an article and then write up a 5 paragraph summary. Notice that there are branches, pictures representing words, and no more than 3 words per branch. Every child's mind map will look different for a topic because they "see" connections differently so don't get caught up on the form the map takes. Some kids draw more pictures, some use a more linear form, and others seem to have random connections. What is important is that the mind map makes sense to that student and is readable/useful for them.
Graphic organizers are very effective as a scaffolding tool. It helps students to have a plan for their writing before they actually begin. When used in writing workshop, I have found that it is very effective for helping students to focus on the information they want to include in their writing, and when they are actually writing, they can focus in on the actual writing process. It is also very helpful for students who are visual learners and need to "see" the information and how it relates to other concepts or facts. It can help students build relationships between concepts as they organize it into shapes or categories.
Below are a few examples of mind maps my students have made for science journals. They pick out key information from an article and then write up a 5 paragraph summary. Notice that there are branches, pictures representing words, and no more than 3 words per branch. Every child's mind map will look different for a topic because they "see" connections differently so don't get caught up on the form the map takes. Some kids draw more pictures, some use a more linear form, and others seem to have random connections. What is important is that the mind map makes sense to that student and is readable/useful for them.
Where can I find graphic organizers?
Most teacher guides will have blackline masters that you can copy or change as needed using a word processing or publishing program. If I am looking for a specific graphic organizer, a quick internet search will generally give me ideas, or an actual document to print. I have started collecting graphic organizers in a binder and I flip through it when I am looking for a specific organizer. Other teachers have started using this binder when they are searching for one as well. It might be useful to start a binder for all of the teachers in your school. There is also an app called Tools4Students that has several digital copies of graphic organizers for students to print off or fill in directly on their device. This is a great tool to support differentiation.
Most teacher guides will have blackline masters that you can copy or change as needed using a word processing or publishing program. If I am looking for a specific graphic organizer, a quick internet search will generally give me ideas, or an actual document to print. I have started collecting graphic organizers in a binder and I flip through it when I am looking for a specific organizer. Other teachers have started using this binder when they are searching for one as well. It might be useful to start a binder for all of the teachers in your school. There is also an app called Tools4Students that has several digital copies of graphic organizers for students to print off or fill in directly on their device. This is a great tool to support differentiation.