CHOMP INTO A GOOD BOOK

         

When this topic came up on the blog, it struck my mind right on its peak. I used to use this method in reading comprehension. but not anymore. Frankly speaking, I can't remember the reason why I stopped using this method. Never mind, then, as I still remember the good times doing it.
         

Graphic organizers may look like simple fill-in-the-blank worksheets, but they are actually so much more. These pieces of paper full of circles, squares and connecting lines help improve students' comprehension and encourage them to think critically. Whether they are used to compare and contrast, analyze relationships, brainstorm, explore concepts or just take notes, graphic organizers help students see their reading and writing instruction in a new way.
         

As the technology always develops, we are dealing with students who are accustomed to visual material. Verbal or linguistic learners tend to perform well in a language arts classroom, but not all students are verbally or linguistically inclined. Graphic organizers help students with different learning styles, particularly logical and visual learners. While reading a story, students can use a graphic organizer to outline the sequence of the story, identify the main traits of a character or chart the conflicts that appear in the text. For example, a graphic organizer may have a box for a character's name in the middle and boxes around the page asking for examples of the character's feelings, thoughts, actions and physical characteristics. This helps students to see the text in a new way -- and through a medium that fits their style of learning.
         

Not only the students, teacher are also having benefit from this technique, as a graphic organizer is a visual display that demonstrates relationships between facts, concepts or ideas. A graphic organizer guides the learner’s thinking as they fill in and build upon a visual map or diagram. So, teachers can deliver the material in a lot more familiar way. To inspire more, here is an example taken online :  http://www.fcrr.org/curriculum/PDF/G4-5/45CPartOne.pdf

ENJOY

Opinion about Graphic Organizers

Dear everybody,

In my opinion, writing is a great activity because it can keep the productivity and creativity of thinking. That is why writers are usually smart and intelligent because their thinking is very deep and sharp. Actually I do not really like writing because there are a lot of rules such as organization, coherence,  punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and so on that must be followed. However, writing can be fun if we write something that we like. One of the ways is by using graphic organizers.

At school where I have been working, the principal encourages the teachers to use mind map. The students feel happy and enthusiastic in using it in the beginning but then they feel bored and unhappy when all the teachers ask them to make mind map.

In writing, I think the use of mind map can help learners to make brief points in a different way. We may say that mind map (graphic organizers) is the first step to do when they want to write about something. It can help me to teach writing.

Based on my own experience, the problem that I faced was I did not know where to start. I always let my mind flow and wrote ideas that came up. This condition may also be felt by learners. Therefore, asking them to use graphic organizers is a suitable way to solve their problem.

Cheers.