The power of graphic organizers comes from the nature and types of cues they provide Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

Phenomena cuesStrategy cues Semantic cues Organizational cues Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

Semantic cues visually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cuesStrategy cues Cause / Effect Hierarchic Sequence Compare / Contrast to view samples, click on each type of organization Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

Semantic cues focuses on meaningvisually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cuesStrategy cues Structural Cues Generative characteristics of an idea Generative “BIG” ideas Perspectives on an idea Topic-specific critical understandings Person Group Place Issue Event Policy War Theory Process Belief Problem Invention Thing to view samples, click on each type of semantic cue Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

Semantic cues focuses on meaningvisually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cuesStrategy cues visually shows patterns of phenomena Chaos/control Yin*Yang Problem solving Data bending Risk Taking Tension / Reaction to view samples, click on each type of phenomena Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

Semantic cues focuses on meaningvisually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cuesStrategy cues visually shows patterns of phenomenastrategic processes Project-based learning Strategic Reading Strategic Writing to view samples, click on each type of strategy cue Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

Semantic cues focuses on meaning visually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cues visually shows patterns of phenomena Strategy cues TM Cause / Effect HierarchicCompare / Contrast Sequence Chaos/controlData bending Tension / ReactionProblem solving ConflictEvolution strategic processes Strategic Writing Project-based learning Strategic Reading Structural Cues Generative characteristics of an idea Generative “BIG” ideas Perspectives on an idea Topic-specific critical understandings Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 1. Very strong research-basis for: ACADEMICS Vocabulary Reading Writing Content Math THINKING Critical Analytical Metacognition / Strategic INFORMATION PROCESSING Find relevant info Make sense of info Relational understanding and memory of info Communicate info EXAMPLE

Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 2. Fosters “watering-up” the curriculum – - content is more learnable, so info can be taught at more complex levels –Makes the organization of information self-evident to learner Provides an array of visual & semantic cues that help the learner focus on what is important –Focuses on relational understanding, big ideas, & real-world connections –Maximizes student-elaboration of essential-to- understand information EXAMPLE

Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 3. Requires scaffolding Scaffolded assistance I do it We do it Y’all do it You do it Scaffolding complexity of the graphic organizer simple  to  complex EXAMPLE

Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 4. Highly conducive to implementing critical teaching behaviors for student engagement Knowledge activation & anticipation Frequency of correct responses Explicit /Directive  Implicit/Constructive Quality student-directed learning experiences aligned with state curriculum standards Reflective reviews EXAMPLE

Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 5. Facilitates “standards-based” instruction & assessment Planning instruction around state curriculum content standards Assessing students relational understanding of content standards EXAMPLE

Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 6. Highly conducive to innovation Integrating curriculum Block-scheduling Project-based, Problem-based, and Service- oriented learning Differentiating instruction in ways that really count

Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 7. Impact is NOT a function of whether a student is a “visual learner” Notion of visual vs. auditory vs. kinesthetic learner is a GROSS over-simplification of the learning process Student success using GOs is more a function of: Previous exposure to GOs Quality of teacher-scaffolding Complexity of subject-matter vs. student’s background knowledge of subject-matter Teacher’s commitment to use GOs

Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 8. Implementation is not automatic GOs are initiative for some, not at all for others Requires … * Leader support Fosters faculty ownership & commitment paired with explicit expectation Creates time (and tenaciously protects) so teachers can collaboratively plan and peer-support Reinforcement (formal & informal) * Long-range view * Strategic implementation plans * Coaching * Data-based feedback on (1) student outcomes and (2) quality of implementation EXAMPLE