Graphic Organizers -Kristyna F. #5

Who can benefit from graphic organizers?

Most students in an inclusion classroom, particularly:

Student: Benefit:

A student with a learning disability: difficulties in

processing/organizing written and oral information-

reading comprehension as well as difficulties with

problem solving skills, which leads to struggles with

higher order processing.

In writing, they struggle with the writing process,

including planning and organizing.

Graphic organizers can be used to show information

before reading or to help students remember

information while reading, to improve comprehension.

Various graphic organizers can help student build a

deeper understanding in reading.

In writing, graphic organizers help to simplify and

organize their writing. They are also a visual as they

make the writing process visible.

A student with Autism Spectrum Disorder: present

unique struggles in writing. They may write sentences

that are general and brief as well as struggle with

abstract thinking such as imagination or figurative

Graphic organizers helped students to plan and will

guide students through the planning process,

Graphic organizers and organize their thoughts and

*Graphic organizers have been suggested as

tools educators can use to facilitate critical

thinking and prepare students for independent

learning. Graphic organizers that are based on

the task to be completed, as well as the thinking

and learning needs of the student using the

organizer, help foster critical thinking.

*Graphic organizers are visual displays that

arrange words using boxes, cells, arrows, or

other visual cues to depict key concepts in a

comprehensible format.

language. ideas.

Types of Graphic Organizers

Graphic Organizer How is it used:

Problem Solution Maps Sequential episodic Maps

Support one’s argument by comparing

different solutions to a problem.

Story Maps

Spider Maps

Distinguishes components of a story

Venn Diagrams

Concept Maps

Compares the relationship and variations

among concepts

Series of Events Chain Shows a Linear Sequence

Network Tree Illustrates a Connection among concepts and

events

How to Select the Right Graphic Organizer:

-Think about the purpose for the graphic organizer and skill that will be taught.

-Also -Identify the detail found in the text to pick the graphic organizer that correlates.

For example if the student will be comparing and contrasting and the text supports this, then a venn

diagram will be helpful.

-Think about which graphic organizer works best in organizing information and activating critical thinking.

References:

Bishop, A. E. 1., Sawyer, M., Alber-Morgan, S., & Boggs, M. (2015). Effects of a graphic organizer

training package on the persuasive writing of middle school students with autism. Education & Training in Autism & Developmental Disabilities, 50(3), 290-302.

Singleton, S. M., & Filce, H. G. (2015). Graphic organizers for secondary students with learning disabilities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 48(2), 110-117. doi:10.1177/0040059915605799

Sundeen, T. H. (2014). Essay development for secondary students with learning disabilities: Graphic organizers for visualizing organizational patterns. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 33(3), 29-36 8p.