Graphic organizers are visual representations of spoken or written text. They are particularly useful to teachers and students because they highlight different types of important information. In addition, they show at a glance the key parts of the whole and their relations, helping the learner comprehend text and solve problems. For many learners, the visual aspect helps with memory retention as well.
Graphic organizers are ideal for use with English Language Learners because key content information is represented in understandable form. After a little practice, English Language Learners themselves can design graphic organizers to show their understanding of content material.
Click here to download the graphic organizers.
(Note: The document is in PDF format. Go to the Adobe site to download Acrobat Reader.)
How to use the Backpack graphic organizers:
K-W-L Chart
Used to introduce a theme, a lesson, or a reading, it can help generate student interest in a topic and help students use their prior knowledge as they work. Usually, students individually or in small groups fill in the first two columns, carry out the activity, and then return to the chart to summarize what has been learned in the last column.
Idea Web
Used for brainstorming activities in which students name the words or concepts they know related to a topic. Can also be used to organize ideas into groups if circles with subtopics are added around the central circle.
T-Chart
Used to help students see relationships between types of information. Can be used to list cause (left column) and effect (right column) or to list words (right column) associated with a topic or story character (left column) or to list similarities or differences.
Venn Diagram
Used to help students understand comparisons and contrasts in a text. Can be used when the questions ask how two things are alike and/or different.
Story Sequence Chart
Used to list the beginning, middle, and end of a story to gain a sense of story structure in English text.
Story Elements Chart
Used to list the main elements of stories, including setting, characters, problems, and important events.
Main Idea Chart
Used to help students identify and chart main ideas and supporting details.
Character Trait Web
Used to list the important qualities of characters in stories and how the characters’ actions reveal those qualities.
Sequence Chain
Used to order a series of events or steps chronologically.
Fact Fish
Used to brainstorm and organize facts based on Wh- questions: who, what, when, where, how, why.
Click here to download the graphic organizers.