Top Tips

Links to these files, in PDF Format, are found on relevant pages of the site.

Here is a Index Page with links to many of those Graphic Organizers. Of course, there are many other types of resources on the Website that will make your work day easier.

Consider this as your Graphic Organizer starter kit (if you need one).

Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer

Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizer 1

Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizer 2

Content Area Discussion Graphic Organizer 1

Content Area Discussion Graphic Organizer 2

Current Events Fact Sheet

Current Events Reading Analyzer

Drawing Conclusions Graphic Organizers

Flexible Writing Template

Integrated Note Taking

Journal Page Template

Learning Project Assignment Plan

Making Predictions Graphic Organizer

Organizing Ideas Graphic Organizer

Problem-Solving Graphic Organizer

Read and Think Along Template

Reading and Note Taking

Science Fact Sheet

Sequential Order Graphic Organizer

Short Story Fact Sheet

Social Studies Fact Sheet

Solutions/ Choices Graphic Organizer

Storyboard Summary Graphic Organizer

A Better Graphic Organizer Strategy

The "run of the mill" strategy for using graphic organizers is to print a copy for every student, and attach these to other work.

Classroom Toolkit recommends a more effective path.

First, print a library of these forms, so that you have them ready to "mix and match" for flexible assignments, and for substitute folders.

Next, collate a booklet of these forms and bind them, such as with the plastic comb binding. Put this set of organizers between index stock/ cover stock(heavy weight paper, or even cardboard)

Then, let each student decorate their copy.

Now, instead of printing copies and doling them out to every student, have students create their own organizers on blank paper (even notebook paper) as the need arises.

Students learn more from the gross and fine motor movements of drawing out an organizer from the model in your sample book than they do from labeling a photocopied page that you hand to them.

Finally, keep a copy of these forms on a CD, USB drive or other storage so that you have them at home. That way, if you are ever absent and can't take your lesson plans to school, you can send copies of generic work to a colleague or to a campus administrator.

Tools to Make Graphic Organizers for Yourself

Most Graphic Organizers can be created from scratch using only the programs found in Microsoft™ Office Professional. A few other tools can be useful.

However, in this age of "technology integration" we forget that we can draw on a laser printed framework, and make scans of photocopies of the "dual-media" (laser printer output, pen and ink, pencil, marker) composite.

Quickness and capturing the immediacy of the moment counts more for student learning than publication-quality graphics.

Graphic Organizers are made for thought, not, "thought made for Graphic Organizers."

One final step: Share your creations with your colleagues. Your ideas may spark unexpected learning in students that you don't even know.

Helping students learn who you have not taught. What a concept.