- 1). Select the topic. Before deciding on what type of diagram to use, sort out the information that the students will be learning. The diagram will vary by subject. Graphic organizers come in forms such as webs, clusters, hierarchical structures, pyramids and more. An organizer can assist students who may be deficient in reading, vocabulary or other areas. Choose an organizer based on a suitable level for your student.
- 2). Assess prior knowledge. Find out what the students already know by using the KWL charts. K-W-L charts track what a student knows, wants to know and has learned about a particular topic. This helps the teacher develop solid graphic organizer directions.
- 3). Give examples of ways students can organize their ideas. Each student has their own internal way of processing information. By giving them a selection of sample ideas, the students can choose one that best fits his or her learning style. Using an overhead projector, guide students on using graphic organizers with practice activities.
- 4). Include ways that students can brainstorm to find the main idea. Use visual aids, books and other tools. Apply different techniques to increase comprehension among students. Whether the subject is math, English or science, graphic organizers can be used to flesh out innovative ideas.
- 5). Include a list of vocabulary words to complement the graphic organizer. Encourage the use of the thesaurus and the dictionary.
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