Graphic Organizers

AVID Open Access Resources

1. SELECT GRAPHIC ORGANIZER: Select the appropriate graphic organizer template to use by examining the task or required thinking skill:

   1. • Elaboration/Description and Description/Elaboration: describe attributes, qualities, characteristics and properties; explain relationships of objects in space; define level of frequency.

      • Cause/Effect: explain the cause of an outcome; express why something occurred.

      • Compare/Contrast: understand and express how two or more things are similar, as well as how they are different.

      • Sequence: relate steps in a process; express time relationships and action within a larger event.

      • Claim and Evidence: make a claim/argument/proposition; defend an opinion; explain reasoning; justify a position.

2. MODEL:  Model the use of the template during a whole-group demonstration lesson, directing students to focus on the relationships between the template elements and examining the meanings and desired  outcomes attached to them.

3. IDENTIFY THE POWER OF THE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER:  Show how the process of converting a collection of data/information/ideas into a graphic map can lead to increased understanding and insight into the topic at hand. The possibilities associated with the topic become clearer as the student’s ideas are classified visually.

4. SHARE:  Allow students time to share graphic organizers with partners first, and then in small groups, in order to help develop new perspectives and clarify any misunderstandings in relation to the material covered.

5. PROVIDE SUPPORT:  Support students as they learn to incorporate the use of the information produced graphically into their writing and final products.

6. FUTURE USE:  Use future lessons and tasks for students as opportunities to frequently model and use appropriate graphic organizers. Remind students of the importance of graphic organizers any time that the tools fit the required thinking skills for a task. The following resources contain tools and templates for creating graphic organizers: 

   1. • • Bubbl.us (bubbl.us): a free tool for creating color-coded mind maps

        • TeacherVision® (www.teachervision.com/graphic-organizers/printable/6293.html): provides access to an extensive list of graphic organizers for all subject areas

To adapt this lesson for primary classes:

• Provide completed examples of graphic organizers for students to examine and reference. Have students apply the elements of the templates to their own tasks in order to showcase their thinking.

• Provide graphic organizers that are partially completed, allowing students the opportunity to fill in the missing information.

• Have students draw their own templates to reinforce the elements of the graphic organizer.

• To increase rigor, allow students the opportunity to mix in their own creativity in depicting graphic representations of their thinking.  Students may even create new templates to share.

• To integrate technology, ask students to create organizers using software programs, such as the resources referenced in the Instructional Steps for this activity.