1. Writing Using Graphic Organizers

2. What is a graphic organizer?
A powerful visual picture of information that allows the mind to see undiscovered patterns and relationships.
A tool that allows organization of these patterns and relationships in writing.

3. Keys to effective use of graphic organizers
Consistent
Create a standard set of graphic organizers.
Establish a routine for implementing them in the classroom.
Coherent
Provide clear labels for the relationship between concepts in graphic organizers.
Limit the number of ideas covered.
Minimize distractions.
Creative Use during all stages of lesson design.
Incorporate during homework and test review.
Add illustrations.
Implement with cooperative groups and pairs.

4. Watch this video to see how you can use graphic organizers in your prewriting.

5. Types of Graphic Organizers
Chain of Events
Clustering
Continuum
Cycle
Family Tree
Fishbone Mapping
Interaction
Outline
KWLH
Technique
Matrix
Problem/ Solution
Spider
Map
Story
Board
Venn
Diagram

6. Chain of Events
Used to describe the stages of an event, the actions of a character or the steps in a procedure.
Beginning
First event
Second event
Final event

7. Clustering
A nonlinear activity that generates ideas, images and feelings around a stimulus word. As students cluster, their thoughts tumble out, enlarging their word bank for writing and enabling them to see patterns in their ideas.
lizards
Owls
nocturnal
desert
Rainforest
animals
reptiles
snakes
tortoise
Click Here to Create Your Own

8. Fishbone Mapping
Used to show causal interaction of a complex event (an election, a nuclear explosion) or complex phenomenon (juvenile delinquency, learning disabilities).
Detail
Cause 1
Detail
Cause 2
result
Cause 3
Cause 4
Detail
Detail

9. Interaction Outline
Used to show the nature of an interaction between persons or groups, such as the interaction between European settlers and American Indians.
Person 1
Group 1
Person 2
Group 2
Interaction
Action
Reaction
Action
Reaction 1 & 2
Outcomes
Outcomes
Person 1
Group 1
Person 2
Group 2

10. Problem/Solution
Requires students to identify a problem and consider multiple solutions and possible results
Problem
Who
What
Why
Attempted Solutions
Results 1. 1. 2. 2.
End Results

11. Spider Map
Used to describe a central idea; a thing, a process, a concept, a proposition. The map may be used to organize ideas or brainstorm ideas for a writing project.
Main idea
Topic
Concept
Theme
Details
Details

12. Storyboard
A graphic and sequential depiction of a narrative. Students recall major events of the story then illustrate the events in the squares provided.
Little Red Riding Hood
Her mom tells her not to wander off path
Little Red Riding Hood takes basket to Grandmas house
Wolf gets to grandmas house before her
She meets wolf in forest
She gets eaten by wolf
Hunter comes and kills wolf and cuts her out of his belly

13. Story Map Title: Author: Characters: Setting:
Somebody (The Main Character(s)):
Wanted (What the Main Character is trying to do)
But (The problem the main character runs into):
So (How the Main Character solves the problem):