What is a graphic organizer?

• aka map OR word web• Usually a one-page form with blank

areas to fill in with related ideas & information

• A powerful visual picture of information that allows the mind to see undiscovered patterns and relationships.

• A tool that allows organization of patterns and relationships in writing.

Graphic organizer: HELPFUL because

Keys to effective use of graphic organizers

1. Consistent– Create a standard set of graphic organizers.– Establish a routine for implementing them in the

classroom.

2. Coherent– Provide clear labels for the relationship between

concepts in graphic organizers.– Limit the number of ideas covered.– Minimize distractions.

3. Creative

– Incorporate during homework and test review.– Add illustrations.

– Implement with cooperative groups and pairs.

How to Choose a Graphic Organizer for Your

Topic/Task

• The task at hand determines the type of graphic organizer that is appropriate.

• Flowchart of How to Choose a Graphic Organizer

(http://www.enchantedlearnin

g.com/graphicorganizers/)

Types of Graphic Organizers

Chain of Events

Clustering Continuum Cycle

Family Tree

Fishbone Mapping

InteractionOutline

KWLHTechnique

Matrix Problem/ Solution

Spider Map

StoryBoard

Venn Diagram

Sample Graphic Organizer

Chain of Events

• Used to describe the stages of an event, the actions of a character or the steps in a procedure.

Beginning

First event

Second event

Final event

Clustering A nonlinear activity that generates ideas,

images and feelings around a stimulus word. As students cluster, their thoughts tumble out, enlarging their word bank for writing and enabling them to see patterns in their ideas.

animals

nocturnal

desert

reptiles

Rainforest

lizards

snakes tortoise

Owls

Click Here to Create Your Own

Fishbone Mapping

Used to show causal interaction of a complex event (an election, a nuclear explosion) or complex phenomenon (juvenile delinquency, learning disabilities).

result Cause

1

Detail

Cause

2

Detail

Cause 3

Cause 4

Detail Detail

Interaction Outline

Used to show the nature of an interaction between persons or groups, such as the interaction between European settlers and American Indians.

Person 1Group 1

Person 2 Group 2

Interaction

Action Reaction

Action Reaction 1 & 2

Person 1Group 1

Person 2Group 2

Outcomes

Outcomes

Problem/Solution

Requires students to identify a problem and consider multiple solutions and possible results

WhoWhatWhy

Problem

Attempted Solutions

Results

1. 1.2. 2.

End Results

Spider Map

Used to describe a central idea; a thing, a process, a concept, a proposition. The map may be used to organize ideas or brainstorm ideas for a writing project.

Topic Concept Theme

Main

idea

DetailsDetails

Storyboard A graphic and sequential depiction of a

narrative. Students recall major events of the story then illustrate the events in the squares provided.

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood takes basket to Grandmas house

Her mom tells her not to wander off path

She meets wolf in forest

Wolf gets to grandmas house before her

She gets eaten by wolf

Hunter comes and kills wolf and cuts her out of his belly

Title:

Author:

Characters:

Setting:

Story Map

Somebody (The Main Character(s)):

Wanted (What the Main Character is trying to do)

But (The problem the main character runs into):

So (How the Main Character solves the problem):

Concept Maps• Graphically illustrate relationships between

two or more concepts linked by words that describe their relationship.

• Begin with a main idea (or concept) and then branch out to show how that main idea can

be broken down into specific topics.• Typically hierarchical, with the subordinate concepts stemming from the main concept

or idea. However, it always allows change and new concepts to be added. The concept

positions on a map can continuously change, while always maintaining the same relationship with the other ideas on the map

How to Build a Concept Map

• Start with a main idea, topic, or issue to focus on.– choose a focus question — something that needs to be solved or a

conclusion that needs to be reached.

• Then determine the key concepts– Find the key concepts that connect and relate to your main idea

and rank them; most general, inclusive concepts come first, then link to smaller, more specific concepts.

• Finish by connecting concepts--creating linking phrases and words

– Once the basic links between the concepts are created, add cross-links, which connect concepts in different areas of the map, to

further illustrate the relationships and strengthen student’s understanding and knowledge on the topic.

Online Resource• How to use graphic Organizer:

– http://www.inspiration.com/visual-learning/graphic-organizers

– http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/

• Printable graphic organizer: – https://www.teachervision.com/graphic-organizers/

printable/6293.html– http://edhelper.com/teachers/graphic_organizers.htm

• Graphic organizer worksheets: – http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/

• Graphic organizer template: – http://www.thinkport.org/technology/template.tp

sources• http://

teachersites.schoolworld.com/• http://www.eduplace.com/

graphicorganizer/• http://www.inspiration.com/visual-

learning/concept-mapping