WORKING WITH GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

WHAT IS A GRAPHIC ORGANIZER? Another way to compare and contrast attributes is to

construct a Compare-Contrast Matrix.


A graphic organizer is a visual and graphic display
that depicts the relationships between facts, terms, THING 1 THING 2
and/or ideas within a learning task. Graphic organizers
are also sometimes referred to as knowledge maps,
concept maps, story maps, cognitive organizers, ATTRIBUTE ATTRIBUTE
advance organizers, or concept diagrams. 1 1

TYPES OF GRAPHIC ORGINIZERS?

ATTRIBUTE ATTRIBUTE
2 2
Graphic Organizers come in many shapes and forms,
each one best suited for organizing and displaying a
particular set of information.
A Problem and Solution Outline helps to graphically
show problems, attempted solutions, the outcomes, and
A Series of Events Chain can help students organize
the end results. These organizers are also great for
information according to various steps or stages.
texts to help display the central conflict in a story and
the resolution pattern.
INTERESTING EVENT

EVENT 1 • WHO?
• WHAT?
• WHEN?
PROBLEM • WHERE?
• WHY?
• HOW?

EVENT 2
• ATTEMPTED SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS

FINAL EVENT
• OUTCOMES
SOLUTIONS
EVENT 3

END
RESULTS
A Network Tree is great for organizing a set of
hierarchical information, which reflects super and
subordinate elements.
A Cycle Map is useful for organizing information that
doesn’t necessarily have a beginning or end, or is
EVENT 1
cyclical or circular.

DIRECT EFFECT
CAUSED BY
EVENT 1
I
SUBSEQUENT SUBSEQUENT SUBSEQUENT
V II
EFFECT A EFFECT A' EFFECT A"

A Venn Diagram is useful for both comparing and IV III

contrasting information in two or more subject matters.

HOW THEY ARE THE SAME

These graphic organizers are only as effective as the

teacher who teaches them. Make sure your students
HOW HOW understand exactly how and when to use these
SUBJECT I SUBJECT II organizers, and that you teach them why they are
DIFFERS DIFFERS effective. There are many more graphic organizers out
there, but these should give you and your students a
FROM FROM diving in point for their use and effectiveness.
SUBJECT II SUBJECT I