Picture This: Graphic Organizers in the Classroom Chapter 7 Dr. Harland C&I 306

What is a Graphic Organizer? Can be used as: –an advance organizer –a pre, during or after reading strategy –an assessment Def: a visual way to represent information; portrays a process or structure in a way that relies on relative position and juxtaposition of words or phrases that are bound by shape or line

Graphic Organizer Web Links EdHelper: pdf downloadable graphic organizersEdHelper: pdf downloadable graphic organizers Graphic Organizers.com; has samples organized by subject and student age (samples of organizers filled out for specific assignments)Graphic Organizers.com Write Design Online Graphic Organizers

Why it is beneficial –Breaks down tough concepts; make them easier –Increases student interactions –Helps students to see connection between ideas Who it benefits –Students with Learning Disabilities –ESL (ELL) students –MI: strongly visual students Benefits of Graphic Organizers

Pre reading strategy –Alert students to main ideas –Anticipatory activity: cards with puzzle piece edges to get them in order; organize notes in the same manner During reading strategy –As a note taking tool (teacher gives students a partially filled organizer) –New information can be added to a previous organizer When to use Graphic Organizers

Concept Maps –Shape-bound words/phrases with lines that connect the ideas –Teacher created ones ok—students fill in –Student generated ones are more powerful (more difficult to grade) Types of Graphic Organizers

Flow Diagrams –Used when ideas follow logical sequence –Ovals = beginning & ending –Diamond shape contains questions Types of Graphic Organizers

Tree Diagrams –Used to classify information –Start with general concept, to specific classification levels –Horizontal or vertical –Sample on next slide Types of Graphic Organizers (cont)

Tree Diagram

Matices –Arrangement of words or phrases in a table Types of Graphic Organizers (cont)

The key is ….teaching students how to use them to organize thinking Not “just another worksheet”

Works well: because graphic organizers help you to see if students can construct an answer Informally: have students in groups make a concept map of the previous day’s vocab. Check it before moving on with new content. Formally: As an essay question: to be graded on a test/quiz Using Graphic Organizers as Assessments

With a group construct a graphic organizer using the topic “First-year teacher” Share your organizer with another group; compare/contrast them How would each be used? Content and/or pre-during-after strategy Share your organizer with the class Activity Using Graphic Organizers

For Next Week… Print off Professional Journal Assignment Meet in Milner for next week’s class