Graphic Organizers
What are graphic organizers?
Graphic organizers are visual tools to support comprehension. Using graphic organizers is a strategy that supports comprehension by helping students focus on the concepts being taught, increasing both short and long-term memory (Miller & Veatch, 2011). The various types of graphic organizers can be used across the curriculum to visually represent concepts of the lesson. Graphic organizers can be used before, during, and after reading as a comprehension strategy as well as assessment tool. Graphic organizers must be modeled for students with guided practice before independent use so students can successfully use this strategy to increase comprehension. How can I use this strategy in a middle school? There are many types of graphic organizers that can be specialized to meet the needs of each standard and content area. For content areas that teach sequential knowledge, main idea/detail graphic organizers can be helpful for students to summarize or paraphrase the reading. When using compare and contrast strategies, a Venn Diagram can be useful to visually represent similarities and differences. In a middle school English course, there are many ways graphic organizers can be used to increase comprehension. If a text is assigned for a class reading, students can be asked to find the main ideas and details for a chapter by filling out a graphic organizer similar to the one to the left. This will help students to identify the most important events rather than trying to remember everything, which will increase comprehension. Another way graphic organizers can be used in a middle school English course is to compare and contrast two items, such as characters in a text or two different texts that share similarities. A Venn Diagram (below) or similar graphic organizer can be used to find similarities and differences in any classroom. |
How can making connection be differentiated to meet student needs?
The use of graphic organizers can be differentiated to meet student needs of each class. For instance, graphic organizers can be used for either whole group comprehension support or for individuals who need additional support. Teachers can instruct students on how to use graphic organizers and always provide students with the option to use a pre-made graphic organizer if they feel this will help them better comprehend the text. Students should be encouraged to use graphic organizers when doing their independent reading, and guided to know which graphic organizer would make the best choice for their text. The video above provides a demonstration of using a KWL+ chart and steps of the reading process. The video describes how to use the chart to draw conclusions how to use it as a tool to develop comprehension. This teacher's video was made specifically for his course, but can also be used in any classroom or as a support for teachers wanting to learn how to use KWL+ charts in the classroom The + of the chart allows students a place to reflect and analyze the text, increasing comprehension and a deeper level of understanding.
The video to the left shows another graphic organizer at an upper elementary level, but it can be adapted to any level. Students use the graphic organizer to identify the title, beginning, middle, and end of the story. This graphic organizer could be adapted to be used for a pre-writing exercise. |
Writing Component & Standard
Graphic organizers have a definite writing component, as the students must fill in each portion of any graphic organizer. Often, students are allowed to write in bullet points with abbreviation within their graphic organizers.
Graphic organizers also can be used as a tool for writing. Students can be given a story map graphic organizer to prepare their content that they will be writing about. There are many graphic organizers to meet the various needs for reading and writing in any content area.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2.B
Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Graphic organizers have a definite writing component, as the students must fill in each portion of any graphic organizer. Often, students are allowed to write in bullet points with abbreviation within their graphic organizers.
Graphic organizers also can be used as a tool for writing. Students can be given a story map graphic organizer to prepare their content that they will be writing about. There are many graphic organizers to meet the various needs for reading and writing in any content area.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2.B
Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.