Graphic Organizers

Graphic Organizers (GOs)

A graphic organizer is a tool or process
to build word knowledge by relating
similarities of meaning to the definition
of a word. This can relate to any
subjectmath, history, literature, etc.

Why are Graphic Organizers

Important?
GOs connect content in a meaningful way to
help students gain a clearer understanding of
the material (Fountas & Pinnell, 2001, as
cited in Baxendrall, 2003).
GOs help students maintain the information
over time (Fountas & Pinnell, 2001, as cited
in Baxendrall, 2003).
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Graphic Organizers:
Assist students in organizing and
retaining information when used
consistently.
Assist teachers by integrating into
instruction through creative
approaches.

Graphic Organizers:
Heighten student interest
Should be coherent and consistently
used
Can be used with teacher- and studentdirected approaches

Coherent Graphic Organizers

1. Provide clearly labeled branch and
sub branches.
2. Have numbers, arrows, or lines to
show the connections or sequence of
events.
3. Relate similarities.
4. Define accurately.

How to Use Graphic Organizers in

the Classroom
Teacher-Directed Approach
Student-Directed Approach

Teacher-Directed Approach
1. Provide a partially complete GO for
students
2. Have students read instructions or
information
3. Fill out the GO with students
4. Review the completed GO
5. Assess students using an incomplete
copy of the GO
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Student-Directed Approach
Teacher uses a GO cover sheet with
prompts
Example: Teacher provides a cover sheet
that includes page numbers and paragraph
numbers to locate information needed to fill
out GO

Teacher acts as a facilitator

Students check their answers with a
teacher copy supplied on the overhead
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Strategies to Teach Graphic

Organizers

Framing the lesson

Previewing
Modeling with a think aloud
Guided practice
Independent practice
Check for understanding
Peer mediated instruction
Simplifying the content or structure of the GO
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Types of Graphic Organizers

Hierarchical diagramming
Sequence charts
Compare and contrast charts

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A Simple Hierarchical Graphic

Organizer

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A Simple Hierarchical Graphic

Organizer - example
Geometry

Algebra

MATH
Calculus

Trigonometry

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Another Hierarchical Graphic Organizer

Category

Subcategory

Subcategory

Subcategory

List examples of each type

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Hierarchical Graphic Organizer example

Algebra

3x

2x
+

>

4x

10
x

-6

10
0
=

10
y

=
3

<

15

14

2x

Inequalities
6y

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Equations

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Compare and Contrast

Category
Illustration/Example

What is it?

Properties/Attributes

Subcategory

Irregular set
What are some
examples?

What is it like?
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Compare and Contrast - example

Numbers
Illustration/Example

What is it?

6, 17, 25, 100

-3, -8, -4000

Properties/Attributes
Positive Integers

Whole
Numbers

Negative Integers

Zero

Fractions
What are some
examples?

What is it like?
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Venn Diagram

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Venn Diagram - example

Prime
Number
s
5
2

7
11

13

Even Numbers
Multiples of 3
4

6
8

10

15

21

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Multiple Meanings

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Multiple Meanings example

Right

Equiangular

3 sides

3 sides

3 angles

3 angles

1 angle = 90

3 angles = 60

Acute

TRIANGLES

Obtuse

3 sides

3 sides

3 angles

3 angles

3 angles < 90

1 angle > 90

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Series of Definitions
Word

=
=

Category

+ Attribute
+

Definitions: ______________________
________________________________
________________________________
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Series of Definitions example

Word

Category

Square

Quadrilateral

+ Attribute
+

4 equal sides &

4 equal angles (90)

Definition: A four-sided figure with four

equal sides and four right angles.

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Four-Square Graphic Organizer

1. Word:

4. Definition

2. Example:

3. Non-example:

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Four-Square Graphic Organizer

example
1. Word: semicircle

4. Definition

2. Example:

3. Non-example:

A semicircle is half of
a circle.
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Matching Activity
Divide into groups
Match the problem sets with the
appropriate graphic organizer

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Matching Activity
Which graphic organizer would be most
suitable for showing these
relationships?
Why did you choose this type?
Are there alternative choices?

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Problem Set 1
Parallelogram
Square
Polygon
Irregular polygon
Isosceles Trapezoid

Rhombus
Quadrilateral
Kite
Trapezoid
Rectangle

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Problem Set 2
Counting Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . .
Whole Numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, . . .
Integers: . . . -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. . .
Rationals: 0, 1/10, 1/5, 1/4, ... 33, 1/2, 1
Reals: all numbers
Irrationals: , non-repeating decimal

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Problem Set 3
Addition
Multiplication
a + b a times b
a plus b
axb
sum of a and b
a(b)
ab
Subtraction Division
a b a/b
a minus b
a divided by b
a less b
b) a

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Problem Set 4
Use the following words to organize into
categories and subcategories of
Mathematics:
NUMBERS, OPERATIONS, Postulates, RULE,
Triangles, GEOMETRIC FIGURES, SYMBOLS,
corollaries, squares, rational, prime, Integers,
addition, hexagon, irrational, {1, 2, 3},
multiplication, composite, m || n, whole,
quadrilateral, subtraction, division.

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Graphic Organizer Summary

GOs are a valuable tool for assisting
students with LD in basic mathematical
procedures and problem solving.
Teachers should:
Consistently, coherently, and creatively use
GOs.
Employ teacher-directed and studentdirected approaches.
Address individual needs via curricular
adaptations.
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Resources
Maccini, P., & Gagnon, J. C. (2005). Math graphic
organizers for students with disabilities. Washington,
DC: The Access Center: Improving Outcomes for all
Students K-8. Available at
http://www.k8accescenter.org/training_resources/documents/MathGraphic
Org.pdf

Visual mapping software: Inspiration

and Kidspiration (for lower grades)
at http:/www.inspiration.com
Math Matrix from the Center for
Implementing Technology in
Education. Available at
http://www.citeducation.org/mathmatrix/

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Resources
Hall, T., & Strangman, N. (2002).Graphic organizers.
Wakefield, MA: National Center on Accessing the
General Curriculum. Available at
http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_go.html
Strangman, N., Hall, T., Meyer, A. (2003) Graphic
Organizers and Implications for Universal Design for
Learning: Curriculum Enhancement Report. Wakefield,
MA: National Center on Accessing the General
Curriculum. Available at
http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/udl/GraphicOrganizersHT
ML.asp

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How These Strategies Help

Students Access Algebra

Problem Representation
Problem Solving (Reason)
Self Monitoring
Self Confidence

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Recommendations:
Provide a physical and pictorial model, such as
diagrams or hands-on materials, to aid the process
for solving equations/problems.
Use think-aloud techniques when modeling steps to
solve equations/problems. Demonstrate the steps to
the strategy while verbalizing the related thinking.
Provide guided practice before independent practice
so that students can first understand what to do for
each step and then understand why.

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Additional Recommendations:
Continue to instruct secondary math students with
mild disabilities in basic arithmetic. Poor arithmetic
background will make some algebraic questions
cumbersome and difficult.
Allot time to teach specific strategies. Students will
need time to learn and practice the strategy on a
regular basis.

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Wrap-Up
Questions

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Closing Activity
Principles of an effective lesson:
Before the Lesson:
Review
Explain objectives, purpose, rationale for learning the
strategy, and implementation of strategy
During the Lesson:
Model the task
Prompt students in dialogue to promote the
development of problem-solving strategies and
reflective thinking
Provide guided and independent practice
Use corrective and positive feedback
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Concepts for Developing a Lesson

Grades K-2
Use concrete materials to build an understanding of equality
(same as) and inequality (more than and less than)
Skip counting
Grades 3- 5
Explore properties of equality in number sentences (e.g., when
equals are added to equals the sums are equal)
Use physical models to investigate and describe how a change
in one variable affects a second variable
Grades 6-8
Positive and negative numbers (e.g., general concept, addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division)
Investigate the use of systems of equations, tables, and graphs
to represent mathematical relationships

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