Graphic Organizers with Templates

There are various types of graphic organizers that students can and should be using to process information. The organizer teachers select, or students select themselves, depends on the type of processing expected to take place.  

Here is a non-exhaustive list of different graphic organizer types with templates you can make a copy of and use with students.

Type & Description	Possible uses	Organizer Templates
Brainstorming - processing information prior to or just after learning	identify prior knowledge	ABC Brainstorming KWL / KWML / KWHL SWOT
Cause and Effect - shows the relationship between two or more ideas, concepts, topics, etc.	addressing cause and effect analyze characters or events analyze stories identify the impact on an event or experiment.	Cause, Effect, Effect Cause and Multiple Effects Character Change Cycle - 3 Parts Cycle - 4 Parts Starting Event Which Caused
Compare/Contrast - identify the similarities and differences between two or more concepts.	comparing and contrasting stories, characters, topics, concepts, terms, etc.	Character Comparison Column Venn Diagram Compare & Contrast #1 Compare & Contrast #2 Comparing 2+ Sources Venn Diagram Venn Diagram (triple)
Concept Map - central idea with corresponding characteristics.	brainstorming identifying relationships making connections	Character Traits Concept Map Story Mapping
Flow Diagram or Sequence Chart - shows a series of events or steps in an order.	outlining key events, procedures timelines	Beginning, Middle, End Flow Diagram Sequence Chart Timeline
Main Idea and Details - shows relationship between major concept and supporting elements	identifying main central idea and supporting details of a reading or movie. summarizing	Character Change Main Idea #1 Main Idea Simplified Summarize the Text Web - 4 Parts Web - 6 Parts
Semantic - shows relationships between words and meanings - shows relationships between words and meanings	identifying meaning of a vocabulary word connecting words, meanings, and visual representations.	Can You Guess the Word? Context Clues Concept Definition Map Concept Word Map (example) Frayer Model Word Study Diagram Which One Does Not Belong   (example #1 & example #2)