Graphic Organizer Templates

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What Are Graphic Organizers?

Graphic Organizers are visual tools that help students plan and organize their ideas. They can also be used to brainstorm ideas, simplify or organize information and concepts, summarize, synthesize, aid in note taking, help with decision making, planning research, sequencing, problem solving, and so much more! Storyboard That offers tons of different options for teachers and students to choose from, so that you can have your own custom graphic organizer templates in no time!

What is a Graphic Organizer Worksheet?

This type of worksheet is a printable or digital organizer that can be used in all subject areas. Teachers and students can create graphic organizers from scratch using our incredible storyboard creator, or choose from the many that we have already created. Students learn how to plan and organize their ideas when they have more structure already laid out on the page, setting them up for progress and success.

Benefits of Using Graphic Organizer Templates

The benefits of graphic organizer templates in the classroom are endless. Here are just a few reasons why they are essential tools for both teachers and students:

1. Hands on learning: Student engagement increases when they are involved in the mapping out their thinking and planning process.
2. Deeper understanding: Breaking down big ideas into small pieces helps students better comprehend the topic. Visual representations are highly beneficial to students with learning disabilities, executive functioning issues, and those who are learning another language.
3. Aids in critical thinking: Using graphic organizer templates, students learn to think cognitively and critically when it comes to choosing what information should be included in their planning. They can also help students think critically while strengthening their problem solving skills.
4. Helpful tools for studying and learning: Because graphic organizers help students write and visualize information, they are more likely to retain what they are including in their notes in visibly different sections. These tools are not just for prioritizing, organizing, and planning! They are also quite effective study tools!
5. They are FUN!: With so many graphic organizer templates to choose from, Storyboard That helps make using these tools fun and creative. Students can even customize their own to use digitally, or before they are printed out. The options are simply endless with our huge library or art, infographics, wireframes, and more!

What are the Different Types of Graphic Organizer Templates?

Storyboard That has all of the commonly used organizers at your fingertips. We have everything from a balloon graphic organizer to a hamburger organizer - to help structure writing projects, of course! Here are just some of what we have to offer, along with a brief description of each:

T-Chart: A t-chart separates information typically into a two column chart, although they could be separated into a three column chart or a four column chart. T-charts are useful for comparing and contrasting, separating information into groups, and for showing change.

KWL Chart: A KWL chart is the perfect tool to use at the beginning of a new lesson or unit. It is useful to record what students already Know, Want to know, and what they Learn throughout the course of the lesson or unit (this is filled in at the end).

Spider Map: A spider map is a brainstorming or organizational tool that provides a visual framework for students to use. Sometimes a spider map is called a “concept map” or a “spider web graphic organizer”. A spider map has a main idea or topic in the center, or the body, of the diagram. Each detail or sub-topic associated with the main topic has its own leg, or branch, surrounding the it.

Frayer Model: The Frayer Model is organized so that four boxes or sections surround a general concept or vocabulary word in the center of the organizer. The four boxes surrounding it are labeled Definition, Characteristics, Examples and Non-Examples by default. Frayer models are like mind maps that help make learning new words a breeze!

Timelines: A timeline is like a sequence chart that shows specific events in chronological order, usually with dates, in a linear fashion. Timelines help students put events in chronological order, show progress or change, and chronicle historical events.

Cycle Chart: Storyboard That has several different layouts available for you to choose from. The cycle layout is an option that gives users the ability to show sequences or processes that often repeat, but do not necessarily have to.

How to Use a Graphic Organizer Template

We have made it incredibly easy to use our graphic organizer templates. Simply find a graphic organizer example design that you like, and click on the copy template button. This will bring you directly to the storyboard creator, where you will give your template a name, customize as you see fit, and save! Once you arrive in the storyboard creator, you can change anything and everything about the template, or leave the design as it is and just add your personalized information. You may assign templates to your classes digitally, or print and copy. The choice is yours!

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Check Out Other Graphic Organizers From Storyboard That!

Storyboard That has so many different types of printable graphic organizers for you to choose from. Our artists and former teachers have come up with tons of creative graphic organizer design ideas that you are sure to love. The following categories are our favorite graphic organizer templates:

• Plot Diagram/Story Map
• KWL Chart
• Graphic Novel Layout
• T-Chart
• Flow Chart
• Spider Map
• Circle Chart
• Venn Diagram

Do you want to see a colorful graphic organizer template for another subject, or see what else we have? Check out our huge worksheet template gallery!

Happy Creating!