Why use graphic organizers?

The human brain naturally looks for connections between old and new information. Additionally, studies have shown that the brain processes information most efficiently in chunks. Graphic organizers complement both of these processes by helping students:

Visually sort new information into familiar categories
Analyze the relationships between old and new information
Create a simple structure for thinking about information in new ways
Review concepts and demonstrate understanding

Graphic organizers can be used in all phases of learning from brainstorming ideas to presenting findings. Reading A-Z has assembled a collection of effective organizers that may be tailored to most classrooms or students.

What are graphic organizers?

Graphic organizers can support all subject areas, languages, and levels of learning. Reading A-Z provides two collections of graphic organizers--one for primary grades (K-2) and one for intermediate grades (3-6). These collections are arranged according to the reading strategy, comprehension skill, or learning process they best facilitate. The majority of the organizers in both collections can be adapted for use in all classrooms and for learners of all abilities.

When using graphic organizers with early readers, teacher guidance may be necessary. As readers progress, they may benefit from completing the organizers independently (the brain remembers best when personal creativity has been invested in the exercise). To facilitate the learning process, encourage the use of a variety of mediums, including colored markers, crayons, and pencils. If possible, it benefits students to have the graphic organizers reproduced on colored paper. Give students as much freedom as possible to create and complete their organizers.

Primary Graphic Organizers (K-2)

Reading Strategies

Ask and Answer Questions
Condense and categorize questions and answers about a subject

Concept Flower
Condense and organize information about a single topic

Draw Connections
Outline self-to-text relationships

KWL Chart
Organize information according to what students know, what they want to know, and what they learn from reading a select text

KWLS Chart
Organize information according to what students know, what they want to know, what they learn through reading, and what they still want to know

Retell Chart
Record important information about a story to improve textual understanding

Web Diagram
Condense and organize information about a single topic

Web Wheel
Condense and organize information about a single topic

Y-Chart
Record prior knowledge about a topic

Reading Comprehension Skill

Cause and Effect
Outline cause-and-effect relationships

Character Flower
Record the characters, setting, problem, events, and solution

Character Map
Analyze a character's traits

Character Traits Wheel
Analyze a character or person

Draw Conclusions
Use information from text to draw conclusions about characters or events

Fact and Opinion Chart
Distinguish between facts and opinions

Fantasy and Reality
Separate elements of reality from elements of fantasy

Main Idea and Details E-Chart
Identify a main idea and two supporting details

Main Idea and Details Ladder
Condense and organize details about a single topic

Problem and Solution
Identify the problem and solution

Sequence Events Chart
Identify the beginning, middle, and end

Story Elements Map
Identify the problem, rising action, climax, falling action, and solution

Story Map
Identify the characters, setting, problem, events, and solution

Summary Chart
Identify important ideas in text to write a summary

Timeline
List events in chronological order

Topic Web
Condense and organize information by identifying why, who, what, when, and where

Venn Diagram
Compare and contrast two items or topics

Vocabulary

Word Meaning Map I
Record and define elements of a word

Word Meaning Map II
Record, define, and apply elements of a word

Intermediate Graphic Organizers (3-6)

Reading Strategies

Anticipation Guide
Make and revise predictions about a topic before and after reading

KWL Chart
Organize information according to what students know, what they want to know, and what they learn from reading

KWLS Chart
Organize information according to what students know, what they want to know, what they learn from reading, and what they still want to know

Topic Web
Condense and organize information by identifying how, who, what, why, when, and where

Web Diagram
Condense and organize information about a single topic

Note Manager
Record important information about a topic

Web Wheel
Condense and organize information about a single topic

Y-Chart
Record prior knowledge about a topic

Reading Comprehension Skill

Cause and Effect
Identify cause-and-effect relationships

Cause and Effect Chain
Identify multiple cause-and-effect relationships in sequence

Character Attributes Web
Analyze several aspects of a character's traits

Character Interaction Map
Describe how multiple characters relate to one another

Character Map
Analyze a character's traits

Fact and Opinion Chart
Distinguish between facts and opinions

Identify Author's Purpose
Identify and support the author's purpose

Main Idea and Details Ladder
Identify main ideas and supporting details for a topic

Make Inferences
Use story clues and prior knowledge to make inferences

Plot Map identify the beginning, main events, climax, and resolution

Problem and Solution
Identify the problem and solution

Sequence Events Chart I
Identify the beginning, middle, and ending

Sequence Events Chart II
Sequence events in chronological order

Sequence Events Chart III
Sequence multiple events in the order in which they occurred

Solution Evaluation Chart
Identify the problem, possible solutions, and final result

Story Map
Identify the characters, setting, problem, events, and solution

Story Web
Identify the setting, characters, problem, and solution

Summary Chart
Identify important events in text to write a summary

Summary Outline
Identify important ideas in text to write a summary

Supporting Details Web
Identify the main idea and supporting details

Timeline
List events in chronological order

Venn Diagram
Compare and contrast two topics

Vocabulary

Word Meaning Map I
Record and define elements of words

Word Meaning Map II
Record, define, and apply elements of a word