Graphic Organisers
What are graphic organisers?
Graphic organisers are highly effective thinking tools that illustrate the organisation or structure of and relationships between concepts. Graphic organisers provide opportunities to track thinking and clarify both the content and the thinking processes used when creating, problem-solving or evaluating.
Graphic organisers are visual frameworks that help students to:
- structure and make visible their thinking processes
- organise their information, ideas and research
- see both the whole and the parts of a problem or issue
- plan activities and investigations
- review and reflect on progress, understanding and skills
- communicate effectively using images
- extend their thinking by encouraging in-depth thought on topics and/or issues.
About this resource
This resource provides advice on using graphic organisers to teach and assess thinking skills. 21 graphic organiser examples and 13 templates are provided for use in class with further information about other graphic organisers.
Each detailed example:
- is linked to a particular concept or skill in one of the three dimensions of the Thinking Processes domain
- explains the purpose of the thinking tool and how it works
- uses a primary or secondary context
- is designed to be printed for display and use by teachers and students.
Blank templates can be downloaded and printed or saved as an electronic copy for use by teachers and students.
