Chapter 6

“On the surface they (graphic organizers) are such a simple tool that there is a temptation to merely distribute them and ask students to fill them in.” I chose this quote because it seemed to be the most true statement. Used improperly, graphic organizers are only used to mark as task off of a list. This is true with a lot of things. We forget why it is that we do certain things, and just start going through the motions of a certain task. However, if done right, these organizers seem like they could be quite effective tools. I appreciate that the graphic organizers are so diverse. They can be used as a pre-reading tool to build and activate schema, or during to increase comprehension, or even after to expand on ideas and take to the next level. They also are effective in realizing the connections between ideas and subjects.

I think that this strategy is especially good for learners who need to create some type of visual representation of what they know and/or have learned. I don’t think that it would be quite as effective for learners who are more linear thinkers. A concept web or graphic organizers may be too jumbled and busy for this type of learning style. Personally, I like everything being all over the place when I take notes, so I would like using an organizer. I do think that, as the chapter stated, that these organizers would be great for ELL’s. It would help them to make the connections between what they already know, and allow them to communicate with peers, where they really need confidence. If graphic organizers are so effective, then why do teachers not use them more often? Even though teachers said that they agree that they should be used, most still do not.

I would like to ask the author how long it took him to compile his book of strategies.