Graphic Organizers

“Cheeseburger”Graphic Organizer

What is a graphic organizer?

• Graphic organizers are excellent tools for learning the structure of thinking skills.

• A graphic organizer provides a powerful visual picture of information and allows the mind “to see” patterns and relationships.

• There are numerous types of graphic organizers.

• Each type represents a different thinking skill.

• We use them everyday in our lives.

• Most common example is a calendar. A calendar helps us to gather, sift, sort and share information.

CHALLENGE: You are in Beijing, China on a tour. You are in Tian’anmen Square, and want to get to the Fengshan Restaurant in Beiha Park.

YOU ASK FOR DIRECTIONS:

1. Facing north, make a left on Xichan’an, and the first right on Song Biag Behing, going North, approximately two city blocks and the restaurant is on your left. About a 15 minute walk.

Beijing Street MapMaps

Graphic organizers are known to help:

•Relieve learner boredom•Enhances recall•Provide motivation•Create interest•Clarify information•Assist in organizing thoughts•Promote understanding

1. Spatial arrangements depicting the information’s structure reduce the cognitive demands on the learner.

• This means that the learner does not have to process as much semantic information to understand the information.

Compelling Reasons to use Graphic Organizers

2. Students are considerably more likely to understand and remember the content subject you are teaching.

• Information tends to be less “fuzzy” and more precise.

• Graphics help students separate what is important to know from what might be interesting, but not essential information.

3. Because the semantic information processing demands are reduced, you can often address the content at more sophisticated or complex levels; this is especially true for many students with learning disabilities.

• Showing (as opposed to just telling) how the information is structured can be a powerful way to facilitate understanding.

(Semantics – meaning of language)

Graphic Organizer Software Programs

PreK - 4 5 + 6+

Using graphic organizers in the classroom.

Science Lab Template from Inspiration

Inspiration Template

Inspiration Template

Both about an unsolved murder.

Take place in New York City.

Related to illegal drug trafficking.

Involve police corruption.

Takes place in 1920’s

Woman is primary suspect.

Takes place in 2000’s.

Senator is primary suspect.

Murder never solved.

Murder is Solved.

Persuasive Essay Assignment:Using Graphic Organizers in the Classroom

Your paper should consist of :

1. An Introduction2. A Defendable Assertion3. Discussion of your Proof4. Your Concession and a Rebuttal5. Your Conclusion

Inspiration Template

Software Demo

Writing Templates

When to use graphic organizers

• Graphic organizers can be used during the pre-writing stage or at any other time during the writing process.

• For example, a student who has written a draft lacking in coherence and purposeful organization could benefit from using a graphic organizer.

• The perspective gained from graphically visualizing ideas

should persuade even the reluctant user of graphic organizers that some method of organization is necessary for effective communication.

• Teachers can provide printed or electronic templates for all students to use individually as graphic organizers during the writing process.

• These templates can be used during a demonstration lesson as well.

• This instructional-learning strategy also addresses the various learning styles that each student prefers.

• No matter the style or method, graphic organizers serve a critical role during any writing process.