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Using Graphic Organizers Teacher Resources
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Study the elements of the mystery genre. Your elementary schoolers explore pre-writing strategies and organize process outlines. They explore graphic organizers, specifically concept maps, as tools to capture and organize ideas before defining a list of mysterious words. Examples include alibi, culprit, and sleuth.
Support your writers! Clear procedures and appropriate support make this a superb resource for elementary writing instruction. Ready your class to compose original descriptive paragraphs inspired by the episode in Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach when the adventure begins. A pre-writing worksheet and graphic organizer guides writers to start with strong details and engaging verbs. After writing a first draft, be sure to include the revision and response activity that uses Post-its. The link is provided with the other extension activities.
Provide your class with a list of possible topics (three are included here, but they're not exactly gripping), and polish their persuasive writing skills. This plan really emphasizes the prewriting process, and several graphic organizers are included. There are organizers that focus on your learner's position and the opposing position.
Work on identifying text structure with this thorough worksheet. After studying a diagram depicting six different text structures (compare/contrast, spatial, chronological, problem and solution, cause and effect, and order of importance/sequence), middle schoolers read 11 passages, determine the text structure, and put the text into the appropriate graphic organizer. Use this lesson to work on comparing and contrasting text structures. What does each provide? What is the purpose of each?
Combining descriptive and expository writing skills, middle schoolers create a character sketch about someone they know well. They use a graphic organizer to help them discuss a model character sketch and organize/write one of their own. The instructional activity could be modified for any grade level, and it could be useful when writing about a character from literature.
Readers explore summarizing. They preview the book A True Book: Arches National Park, locating the table of contents, section titles, and photographs. They read the book independently and complete a graphic organizer about landforms, climate, and plant and animal life in the park. Then they use this organizer to write an informational paragraph.
Designed for use with a poem that is not included, this graphic organizer is called the Mayan Step Pyramid. On the top, readers describe the topic. On the left, they define the topic, and on the right, they brainstorm characteristics. Then, on the bottom of the pyramid, they write other important details they encounter while reading or discussing the topic.
Write an expository essay with your class. They use the Internet to research a topic and use two different graphic organizers to help them compose their piece. As with all great teaching, this lesson begins with modeling, then allows pupils to work on their own using the new techniques they've learned. The main focus of this exercise is to construct well-written supporting paragraphs using facts and details.
Begin this expository writing activity by reading a non-fiction book of your choice and modeling expository writing. The plan suggests The Trip of a Drip by Vicki Cobb but notes that other texts will work. Learners then choose a nonfiction book of their own to read. As they read, they complete the provided writing graphic organizer. Finally, they draft a report!
Introduce your young writers to a prewriting graphic organizer that not only helps them order their thoughts but also reminds them of the information they will need to include in an expository essay. A checklist is also provided at the bottom of the outline, encouraging kids to review their work after it's written.