Graphic Organizers

-Kristyna

F. #5

*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.

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.

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, they struggle with the writing

process, including planning and organizing.

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
language.

Graphic organizers helped students to plan

and will guide students through the planning
process,
Graphic organizers and organize their
thoughts and ideas.

Types of Graphic Organizers

Graphic Organizer

How is it used:

Problem Solution Maps

Sequential episodic Maps

Support ones argument by

comparing different solutions to a
problem.
Distinguishes components of a story

Story Maps
Spider Maps
Venn Diagrams
Concept Maps
Series of Events Chain
Network Tree

Compares the relationship and

variations among concepts
Shows a Linear Sequence
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.