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52 Using Graphic Organizers

Page
287
from
Write on Track

Using Graphic Organizers

Start-Up Activity

On the board, draw a diagram of geese flying in a V formation, like the one on page 286. Then ask this trick question: "Have you ever noticed that when geese fly in a V formation, one side of the V is always longer than the other? Do you know why that is?" After students offer suggestions, say, "It's because there are more geese on that side." Point to the diagram to help students get the joke.

Tell students that using diagrams and other graphic organizers helps them "see" what they "think." These strategies let students visualize ideas and sort them out, strengthening their thinking and learning.

Think About It

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

—Confucius

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.8

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.3.W.3.8

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.5.b.13.C

110.5.b.13.D

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 288 from Write on Track

Clustering Ideas

Clustering is brainstorming on paper. It helps students create non-linear thought webs, exploring ideas in a branching way.

Have students try the technique. Tell them to write an activity they enjoy in the middle of a piece of paper and circle it. Then have them write ideas connected to the central thought and connect them as well. Encourage them to keep clustering, making the ideas spread as far and wide as they can. The very act of clustering can inspire students to think creatively about any topic, discovering possibilities.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.3.8
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.13.C, 110.5.b.13.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.1.c, LA 3.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 3
21st Century Skills:
Creative Thinking
English Language Arts:
Prewriting

Page 289 from Write on Track

Describing a Topic and Answering the 5 W's

Present the two strategies on this page as extensions of clustering.

A describing wheel functions like a cluster, with a key term in its center, but each section of the wheel provides a specific description of the key term. Instead of encouraging divergent, creative thought, the wheel helps students focus critical thought on the term.

The 5 W's star refines the focus further, giving specific questions for students to answer about the central concept: who? what? where? when? and why?

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.3.8
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.13.C, 110.5.b.13.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.1.c, LA 3.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 3
21st Century Skills:
Critical ThinkingCreative Thinking

Page 290 from Write on Track

Comparing Two Topics

Lead students through the instructions for creating a Venn diagram using two overlapping circles. Then let students try comparing and contrasting with their own Venn diagrams. Give them two topics with some similarities and some differences, such as cars and trucks, or squirrels and rabbits. Have them find as many similarities and differences as they can, and then share their diagrams with each other.

You can also use the related minilesson to teach the use of Venn diagrams.

Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.3.8
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.13.C, 110.5.b.13.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.1.c, LA 3.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 3
21st Century Skills:
Critical Thinking

Page 291 from Write on Track

Outlining Your Ideas

Help students understand that an outline organizes ideas in layers. The biggest idea is the topic, which is at the top of the outline. The next biggest ideas are the main points (which have Roman numerals). The third biggest ideas are the supporting details (which have letters in front of them). By creating an outline, students can plan their writing, structure their thinking, and remember what they want to address when they are speaking.

 

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.3.W.3.8
TEKS Standard:
110.5.b.13.C, 110.5.b.13.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 3.2.1.c, LA 3.2.2.b

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 3
21st Century Skills:
Critical ThinkingPlanning