Graphic Organizers -- Reflecting on What I Know #9

     Graphic organizers are wonderful tools that help students go beyond memorization to a deeper understanding and learning. These organizers provide visual displays that demonstrate relationships between various concepts. You can be much more certain that students understand a concept when you assess their use of a graphic organizer. For example, if my Pre-Kindergarteners can design a concept web of "Pets" (example below), I can be more sure that the students understand what a pet is (rather than just memorizing what I've said in class).

     Graphic organizers also aid the teacher in discovering student misconceptions either from prior knowledge or from something they misconceived in the current lesson. For example, if students were making a KWL chart about U.S. presidents and several students listed "George Washington had wooden teeth" as part of "What I Know", you (the teacher) have uncovered a common misconception in students and can organize your lesson to help students discover the truth about Mr. Washington's not-wooden teeth :)
     Graphic organizers are one method of transferring student ideas into written, more-organized thoughts. One excellent app to use in this transformation process is "MindMash". Students can create all kinds of virtual graphic organizers. My personal favorite for large group brainstorming sessions is the "Drawing Mode" in which students can freely sketch their ideas. This promotes all types of learners as they draw words, pictures, 3D, 2D, etc. and then create their own graphic organizers as a group.