Ideas in Education: Taking Graphic Organizers to Next Level
Numerous research studies have found graphic organizers to be effective for student learning. From cognitive research we know that the mind organizes information before storing it. In part because of this, graphic organizers support student learning and help students remember and connect information providing the foundation for deeper learning. Organizing the information through graphic organizers provides a foundation for purposeful learning activities such as discussions, debates, writing, inferences, decision-making, and other applications.
Students can use graphic organizers in a variety of ways:
- Organizing information from notes, videos, readings, etc.
- Comparing and contrasting/similarities and differences
- Categorizing
- Brainstorming
- Making decision about the best way to structure or organize information (word problems, pre-writing, etc.)
Not only can graphic organizers be easily used in all subjects, they can also be easily differentiated and specialized for students. Some tips:
- Have students determine what graphic organizer is best. This can be done individually, with partners or as a class. It’s important that students learn this because it will deepen their learning and ensure they understand the learning target.
- Some students may benefit from a word bank.
- Consider filling them partially and having students complete the rest; this has been shown to help students recall information more effectively and teach them how to take graphic organizer notes on their own.
- Use sticky notes to create and use large graphic organizers for student groups or for friendly competition between groups.
- Use creately or canva (student use to create requires parent permission)
- Provide students with words on a card. This can turn things into a game form or can be used as a scaffolding technique. For the game form, students can compete against each other to see which student or team of students can complete it first.
- Have students illustrate, doodle, or annotate their graphic organizers.
*When providing students with a word bank or woods on a card, you sometimes may want to include non-examples
Title
|
Different
|
Same
|
Topic/concept 1
| ||
Topic/concept 2
|
Other possible uses:
- Timelines
- Flowcharts
- Cause-Event-Effect
- Decision trees
- Mind maps
A similar activity is to provide students with words on cards but not to use a graphic organizer. Students could group the cards into categories, examples/non-examples, concepts, true-false, sequencing, etc. Students can then turn their work into a graphic organizer. What makes this interesting is that it becomes more fluid, with many correct answers, which can then spark some deep and meaningful conversations and connections. I’ve seen teachers use different fonts or colors to guide this process for some students.
What are some ways that you take graphic organizers to the next level?
Important Dates and Information
Extended 1st block Friday. On Friday, students will complete a survey on homework. This is a follow-up to the homework policy that was implemented several years ago in ACPS and also includes questions about grading practices. The survey can be found in the announcements portion of our webpage, in the Daily Bulletin in PowerSchool and bit.ly/2109ACPSHW. Here’s the spiel:
Dear Students,
As part of our continuing effort to ensure that our grading practices are fair and equitable and that homework assigned to you is meaningful and relevant, we invite you to share your experience by participating in this two-part survey. The first part of the survey addresses grading practices, and the second part focuses on homework.
Thank you! We value your input, which helps us make informed choices to benefit you and future students.
Grades have been stored, if you have made a grade change today or at any time in the future, please complete a grade change form.
Peformance Task Grading: If you are interested in signing up to participate in after school scoring of the performance tasks please using the following link:
- $25 per hour
- please plan to stay for the entirety of the session
- you may sign up for multiple sessions
- questions: email Patricia
Field Trips, Performances, SOLs
April 18-21: Band trip
April 19-20: Orchestra Trip
April 15-19: VPT (Virginia Placement Test/PVCC)
April 24: Continuation of Weighted Grades Conversation with Central Office
April 25: PVCC Onsite Admissions
April 15: Orchestra Concert @8
April 16: Choir Concert
April 23: Senior English in Forum during MM
Birthdays
April 21: Rita Taylor
Shout Outs
Great spring concert by our band students under the leadership of Katherine Williams. I continue to be amazed by our students’ talents and how with dedication and commitment, we instill confidence and growth in them. Similarly, our Salmagundi performance was a great example of this and the collaboration between drama and ESL allowed so many students to shine. Great job Madeline Michel and Mary Morales.
Continuing with a great week of our students stepping out and up, our students did phenomenally and represented us extremely well at Tom Tom. Thanks Katina Dudley and Chris Stanek and everyone else for organizing this event!
And finally, hat tip to Jeannette Stott for a great prom! Thanks to all the chaperones as well.
All the above show the dedication of our staff. Never one to rest on our laurels, we are constantly looking to provide opportunities for our students. While this often means extra work for us, the rewards for our students are immense.
Useful Information
Bell Schedules : http://bit.ly/MOHSbells
Morning Announcement Stream: http://streaming.k12albemarle.org/ACPS/links.htm
We’ve got something new! Want something included on the Monticello Outlook Calendar, the Monticello website, in the PowerSchool Daily Bulletin, or the student newsletter (viewed by parents, students and staff)? Please use this link https://goo.gl/forms/bIjfJLKokWPcEHx33
Worth Your Time
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