Using Graphic Organizers Helping Students to Map their Thoughts Elizabeth Anderson Jefferson Parish Public School System elizabeth.anderson@jppss.k12.la.us

What is a graphic organizer? Visual representations of information used for constructing meaning in reading, writing, and speaking A method of organizing information which incorporates diagrams or other pictorial devices. a diagram or pictorial device that shows relationships We’ve seen 2 types of graphic organizers already. Webs KWL/S

Graphic organizers are visual representations of knowledge, concepts or ideas. They are known to help: relieve learner boredom enhances recall provide motivation create interest clarify information assist in organizing thoughts promote understanding

Why use graphic organizers in student projects? Shouldn't students be writing paragraphs and reports? There are a number of answers to these questions.

First… these organizers are a way to encourage students to think about information in new ways. With writing, it's easy for students to copy from one place to another. With graphic organizers, you remove the words and focus on the connections.

Second… they are a great tool for activities that ask students to review concepts and demonstrate their understanding. They can easily make changes and take different perspectives. In other words, it helps students clarify their thinking.

Third… a huge amount of information can be shared in a single picture to provide the "big view" of a topic.

Fourth… it's easy to edit, revise, and quickly add to a visual map. setting character plot Short Story conflict climax

Fifth… graphic organizers can be used as a tool from information identification to project development.

Finally… they are great for visual thinkers or those who need to practice their visual thinking.

Graphic organizers can be used to reinforce topics from any subject! Math Science Language Arts Social Studies

How can you find examples? Go on the internet and search! Graphic organizer for algebra Graphic organizers for the scientific process Graphic organizer for explaining congress

EVERY STUDENT BENEFITS FROM THE USE OF GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS. Graphic organizers can be used with students in any grade level and any language level and any intelligence level! EVERY STUDENT BENEFITS FROM THE USE OF GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS. Hand out “Graphic Organizers” subject matter sheets to teachers. Have them develop an example of their own similar to the one provided and present it to the class.

Choosing the best graphic organizer Sunshine outline: who, what, when, where, why, how Timeline Story map Venn diagram Reading log

Sunshine Outline Who? Why? Do this with the Frog Prince story or the Princess and the Tin Box. This is good to find out if the students understand the reading. Have paras locate other graphic organizers in their packet that can be used in the same way. Why?

Timeline Beginning Middle End Continue with the Frog Prince. Complete chart. How can we use this in history? Science? Math? Language Arts? To demonstrate a process. A series of events…

Characters Time and Place Story Map Characters Time and Place Problem Events Continue with Frog Prince. Solution Moral

Venn Diagram  Used to show similarities and differences between two or more things (people, places, events, ideas, etc.).   Key frame question: What things are being compared? How are they similar? How are they different?

Venn Diagram A L I K E Have paras interview each other and find out how they are similar and different. Show how this can be used with math. Get Gretchen’s examples.

How can you use it in math?

What I didn’t understand. Reading Log What I understood. What I didn’t understand.

Spider Map Used to describe a central idea: a thing (a geographic region), process (meiosis), concept (altruism), or proposition with support (experimental drugs should be available to AIDS victims). Key frame questions: What is the central idea? What are its attributes? What are its functions?

T-Chart Addition Plus More Add Total Subtraction Minus Subtract Difference Less

Series of Events Chain Used to describe the stages of something (the life cycle of a primate); the steps in a linear procedure (how to neutralize an acid); a sequence of events (how feudalism led to the formation of nation states); or the goals, actions, and outcomes of a historical figure or character in a novel (the rise and fall of Napoleon). Key frame questions: What is the object, procedure, or initiating event? What are the stages or steps? How do they lead to one another? What is the final outcome?

Cycle Chart

Storyboard Used to display events of a story, historical event, or time period as a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence. Key frame question: What happened first? Next? What sequencing words will you use in transitions? …second, then, initially, before, after, when, finally, in conclusion, etc.

Let’s practice with them ourselves. Use the same story or chapter that you used for Five Steps to Reading Comprehension. Choose a graphic organizer that shows an important idea from the reading. Fill in a few of the items on the graphic organizer. Develop a student writing task that uses the ideas and vocabulary in the graphic organizer. Choose someone from your group to present your work. Have paras work in pairs.

DON’T FORGET THAT… Using graphic organizers is a wonderful way for students to express their ideas, but this is not the final step. Graphic organizers are an excellent way to lead into writing activities using the academic/content area vocabulary. Sentences Poems Paragraphs Compositions Stories

Foreign Language Coordinator Contact Information Elizabeth Anderson Foreign Language Coordinator ELAD, JPPSS 504.349.7702 elizabeth.anderson@jppss.k12.la.us