How and Why Graphic Organizers Work

USA Reads™ Graphic Organizers

Our brain is constantly creating pathways or patterns as it takes in new information. These patterns gradually become more complex and assist in storing and retrieving information. This can be seen as your students repeat behaviors until they learn a new skill.

And how do we create these organizational patterns? We learn new information by connecting it to what we already know! The more we learn, the more there is to build on.

Reading comprehension goes beyond memorizing and recalling facts. Readers must bridge the gap between what they read in a story and their own background knowledge in order to understand and remember what they read. Prior knowledge is an integral part of comprehending what is read.

How Graphic Organizers Develop Comprehension
Graphic organizers manage information and ideas, aiding the reader in understanding the whole picture. The organizers help the reader analyze the basic structure of the story (main idea, details, characters, sequencing of events, problems and solutions). They show relationships between characters, ideas, and events. They connect the story and its characters to the outside world. Graphic organizers guide the reader in drawing conclusions, making predictions, and solving problems based on personal life experiences.

Using Graphic Organizers with Reading Selections
Each of the organizers targets specific learning outcomes. Begin by having students read a story. Introduce the graphic organizer and read the directions. Review the story by asking open-ended questions instead of asking questions that require "yes" or "no" answers. Some examples of open-ended questions are, "Who is the story about?" "Why do you think...?" "How do you know...?" "What does this remind you of?" Complete the organizers with your students, remembering to draw on their personal experience whenever possible.

Graphic Organizers allow the student to do the following:

1. Summarize the text using main and supporting ideas
2. Use graphic aids or illustrations to locate or interpret information
3. Demonstrate an understanding by retelling the story in writing, in their own words
4. Identify and interpret vocabulary critical to the meaning of the text
5. Analyze the text examining, for example, main ideas, actions of characters, problem/solution, cause/effect, fact/opinion, or point of view
6. Infer from the text: Reading between the lines
7. Compare and/or contrast elements such as characters, setting, or events
8. Respond to the text by relating to personal experience or feelings
9. Choose appropriate reference resource materials related to purposes
10. Demonstrate an understanding of text by predicting outcomes and actions

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