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What are Graphic Organizers?

Graphic organizers are a1. Visual Representation of Knowledge.2. Semantic Map.3. Structured Overview.4. Concept Map.5. Semantic Organizer.6. Story Map.7. Scaffolding.8. Way of Structuring Information into Organizational Patterns.9. Way to Facilitate Prereading, Postreading, Prewriting, Revising, Discussing,

and Reasoning.10. Way to Promote Active Learning.11. Highly Effective Tool for Improving Social Interaction and Collaboration.12. Framework for What is to be Learned.13. Way to Access Student's Previous Experiences and Knowledge.

Theory behind Use of Graphic Organizers

1. Present what is essential and connect concepts when important informationis isolated.

2. File new information into an existing framework based on schema thatalready contains specific information about that concept.

3. Retrieves prior knowledge and provides a framework on which to attach newknowledge.

4. Visual graphic containing key ideas and information is easier to remember.5. Use of visual and verbal language to create graphic organizers promotes

active learning.6. Learner is engaged through listening, speaking, reading, writing, and

thinking.

Benefits of Graphic Organizers

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Focus attention on key elements Help integrate prior knowledge with new knowledge Enhance concept development Enrich reading, writing, and thinking Aid writing by supporting planning and revision Promote focused discussion Assist instructional planning Serve as assessment and evaluation tool

Guidelines for Assisting Students in the Creation of GraphicOrganizers

1. Discuss with students what graphic organizers are and how they can be used.

2. Show students examples and non-examples of graphic organizers.3. Use a completed graphic organizer to teach a lesson or fill in graphicorganizer while teaching a lesson.

4. Let students help the teacher fill in a blank on the overhead projector.5. Give students a partially completed graphic organizer. Teacher has the same

graphic organizer on the overhead. Teacher and students fill in together orstudents may fill in together working in small groups or individually.

6. Students are given a blank graphic organizer to fill in working together insmall groups or individually.

7. Give students opportunities to create own graphic organizer. Let them designtheir own format. They may work individually or in small groups.

8. Let students present their graphic organizer to class to teach a mini-lesson orto explain why they chose a particular format.