Graphic Organizers – A Summary
Educ 3508
An excellent way in which to organize information is to use graphical representations of
the relationships between specific ideas or concepts. There are many different types of
graphic organizers depending upon the type of information that you want to categorize
and what the relationship is between these bits of information.
One of the things that graphic organizers allow students to do is to see the key concepts
that they are studying visually and to arrange them is a way that allows students to easily
remember how material is related.
The following are some of these types:
1. Network Tree: This type of organizer uses a combination of boxes and lines to
describe topics, how they are related and descriptors of these relationships.
Classifying Matter
Matter
Solid, Liquid, or Gas
Mixtures
Heterogeneous
(Mechanical Mixture)
Pure Substances
Homogeneous
(Solution)
2. Venn Diagram: This type of organizer shows the similarities and differences
between two topics, ideas or concepts.
3. Events Chain Map: This type of organizer shows a progression of information
and is very useful in situations where order is important.
Water Treatment Process
Water in a river or lake moves through a screened
intake pipe which keeps out debris and fish.
Pumps move water to the treatment plant
Chemicals are added which stick to suspended
materials and most bacteria
The suspended solids settle to the bottom
of a huge settling tank
Sand and gravel, through which the water is pumped,
trap smaller particles of suspended material,
leaving clear, drinkable water.
Chlorine or ozone may be added to kill remaining germs,
and some communities add flouride for tooth protection
The clean, safe drinking water is delivered through
underground pipes to homes and businesses
4. Cycle Concept Map: This is a special type of events chain map that does not
have a final outcome, but rather continues in a cycle.
5. Spider Map: This type of map is often useful for brainstorming as it allows you
to place related concepts around a central theme.
* Examples taken from ScienceFocus 9, McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2002.