Graphic Organizing
Prepared by:
Ginni Lehman
What Is A Graphic Organizer?

A graphic organizer is a display that shows
relationships between facts, terms or ideas
involved in a learning task. Graphic organizers
also refer to knowledge maps, concept maps,
story maps, cognitive organizers, advanced
organizers, or concept diagrams.
 There are several types of Graphic Organizers!
Each is unique and different in their own way.
Graphic Organizers You Can Use…

Descriptive or Thematic Map (maps general
information)
 Network Tree (reflects on subordinate and
super-ordinate details)
 Spider Map (information relating to the main
idea)
 Problem and Solution Map (for information
containing a cause and effect)
Try This Graphic Organizer!
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Problem/Solution Outline (helps when
comparing different solutions to a problem)
Sequential Episode Map (useful for mapping out
cause and effect.
Fishbone Map (for complex cause and effect
relationships)
Comparative and Contrastive Map (helps
students compare and contrast two concepts)
Compare and Contrast Matrix (helps when
contrasting more than two concepts)
Need Help Organizing, Give This A
Try!

Continuum Scale (effective for organizing
information along a less/more, or low/high
dimension.
 Series of Events Chain (helps when organizing
information according to stages and steps.
 Cycle Map (useful for organizing information that
is in a cycle (circular) with no positive beginning
or ending.
 Human Interaction Outline (effective for
organizing events in terms of a chain of action
and reaction)
Descriptive or Thematic Map
Graphic Organizers Can Be Found
…
 By
visiting
http://facultyfp.salisbury.edu/ddsessoms/G
raphicOrganizers/Graphic_Organizers.pdf
You can view examples of the Graphic
Organizers listed in the previous 3 slides
Using Graphic Organizers Helps
Students …

Organize information!
 Organizers are most commonly used in the
following subjects, Science, Social Studies,
Language Arts, Reading, and Math.
 Mapping cause and effect, note taking,
comparing and contrasting concepts, organizing
problems and solutions and relating information
to the main ideas or themes are very helpful for
students.
Research Says!
 A study
conducted by Boyle and Weishaar
in 1997 reported that of 15 studies, 7
reported that graphic organizer use
elevated comprehension levels.
 In 1984 a meta-analysis conducted by
Moore and Readence suggested that
gains in vocabulary knowledge following a
graphic organizer use is even greater than
gains in comprehension.
Using Graphic Organizers In Class

I am planning on teaching in the
Early Childhood grade levels, and at
this age I find that organization is
key! When it comes time to study, if
you have all of your information put
together it helps you, you do not
have to go rummaging through your
book-bag for information.

Providing graphic organizers for
subject areas will help students
prepare for tests and help them
learn. Keeping information organized
is very important and graphic
organizers will help in this endeavor.