TeachingWriting_GraphicOrganizers

Transcript TeachingWriting_GraphicOrganizers

Graphic Organizers

Getting Students' Ideas in Order!

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What is a Graphic Organizer?

It is a diagram with compartments in which students can set down ideas.

The parts of the diagram can be arranged to show how these ideas relate to each other.

The compartments can also be used to show the flow of ideas through the essay or story.

There are many different types of graphic organizers. Here are a few samples...

The Venn Diagram

is great for comparing & contrasting!

This type of organizer allows students to

compare

are common, and

contrast

those that are different.

features that

Whether students are working on writing ideas or characters,

each gets one circle

. Then, they put details about each into its own circle.

The

overlapping areas

of the circles show the common points, and the non-overlapping areas show the unique points.

Sample Venn Diagram

feline species

CATS

furry companionship

DOGS

The Idea Map (or Spider Map)

With this type of graphic organizer, students put the main topic of their essay in the

center

of the page.

Then they brainstorm, writing supporting ideas

all around the page

They should put ideas that relate to each other

together

, in the same section of the page.

Eventually ideas (and related details) that they can use to support their main topic become clear.

SampIe Idea / Spider Map

BREEDS Maine Coon (furry) Tabby (shorthaired) Persian (very fluffy) CARE & FEEDING litter box food toys & play HEALTH vet trips shots pet insurance?

Cats

BENEFITS companionship cuddles!

The Network Tree

In this type of graphic organizer, students put the main topic at the top of the page and circle it.

Then, as if doing a family tree, students diagram each idea that flows from that main topic by branching and, again, circling.

Students then continue to add lower levels to show further ideas flowing from those immediately above them.

This organizer may demonstrate how some things cause others, how some things must exist before others can occur, or how ideas can be narrowed down.

Sample Network Tree

complexity of going back to college

The Flow Chart

This is often the simplest type of graphic organizer.

Students list ideas or events in a

sequential order

: • chronologically, or • by a cause & effect relationship, or • based on a logical progression, or • mapping out different possibilities or outcomes Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

Sample Flow Chart

It's autumn!

trees drop their leaves need to sweep leaves ready for winter

Ideas flow logically into each other, coming to a final conclusion.

There are many other types of Graphic Organizers

You can print the ones we have provided and have your students start filling them in.

You may also find software (often called mind-mapping software) that allows students to organize their ideas online.

Providing these tools to your students will help them organize their ideas before writing a coherent essay or story.

The end.

More free TEACHING WRITING resources: • students & creative writing • • writing conventions • critiquing & grading the writing process Eight-week WRITING courses: • elementary school • middle school • high school www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012