Graphic Organizers

"First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination." ~ Napoleon Hill

A graphic organizer visually helps students see the relationships among a number of ideas. Using graphic organizers also supports the different modalities of learners (i.e.: visual, spatial, gifted/talented, challenged).

Why use graphic organizers?

Research tells us that Graphic Organizers (GOs)...

  • Support spatial, rather than linear forms of note-taking. Students see how ideas are organized and/or organize their own ideas.

  • Increase positive attitudes toward reading in content areas.

  • Help connect new information and ideas to existing knowledge. Students arrange information so it is easier to recall.

  • Help understand the hierarchy of ideas (from larger to smaller).

  • Support gifted, special education, and twice exceptional students.

  • Aid visually/spatially talented students as well as visually/spatially challenged students.

  • Permit students to become actively involved in note taking without being too difficult to complete.

  • Build meaning and reduce fatigue often associated with completing pages of rote computations/notes.

  • Move students from surface learning to deep learning, requiring students to identify relationships and see connections between ideas.

Types of graphic organizers

Commonly Used

  • Venn

  • Information Chart

  • Fishbone

  • Concept Map (Description)

  • Sequence Chart

  • Comparison

  • Cause & Effect

  • Problem & Solution

LDC-Text-Structure-Guide.pdf

Lesser Known

  • Position & Pattern

  • Compare & Contrast

  • Group & Organize

  • Relate & Reason

  • Identify & Imagine

  • Estimate & Evaluate

  • Combine & Create

  • Assume & Anticipate

Web tools you can use to create graphic organizers

  • Google Drawings - part of the Google enterprise package.

  • Canva - freemium, need to create an account, many templates to choose from or make your own.

  • MindMup - freemium, need to create an account, Save, download and export GOs - super easy to use!

  • MindMeister - freemium, need to create an account, limited free access.

  • StoryBoard That - limited free access.

  • Teachnology - link to several pages to create GOs

  • WriteDesign - link to generators and examples

Examples and graphic organizers (PDF) ready to use/print

GraphicOrganizer_MindMupExample.pdf

PDF of GO created in MindMup

created in ~30 minutes

GraphicOrganizer_MindMupOutlineExample

Outline of GO created in MindMup

created in ~30 minutes

How to incorporate graphic organizers

  1. Teach a variety of tools and then let students pick the tools that work for the content they are organizing.

  2. Avoid photocopying tools for students. Graphic organizers should be organic, messy, and owned by students.

  3. Build sufficient surface knowledge before asking students to complete the tools.

  4. Graphic organizers should not be filled out; the point is to learn the content. Students should be tasked with using the tools that they create in activities that extend understanding. This can be accomplished through discussions, writing, research and investigation, and presentations. The graphic organizer is an intermediate step that students will use to accomplish something even greater.

If you use a particular web site for the creation of graphic organizers, please share :-)