Graphic Organizer Resources from TeachersFirst
Whether you call them concept maps, mind maps, KWLs, or graphic organizers, these visual diagrams show relationships between concepts and provide a powerful tool for learning and connecting new ideas. Creating graphic organizers also helps today's visual learners build reading comprehension. This collection of reviewed resources includes tools for creating graphic organizers and many suggestions for ways to use them in teaching almost any subject or grade. Be sure to read the "In the Classroom" suggestions for examples of ways to use graphic organizers as part of a lesson or unit.
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American Indians in Children's Literature - Dr. Debbie Reese and Dr. Jean Mendoza
Grades
K to 12tag(s): montana (10), native americans (137)
In the Classroom
Teachers can share the book list with parents when they are teaching about Native Americans. Students can read books from the site's list and share their favorite. After finishing a book, students can complete a story element graphic organizer using Canva Infographic Creator, < a href="/single.cfm?id=17570">reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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The Teacher Toolkit: Frayer Model - Education Service Center Region 13
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): Formative Assessment (45), graphic organizers (60), teaching strategies (85), vocabulary (255), vocabulary development (106)
In the Classroom
Have students work individually to complete a Frayer Model for a new vocabulary word, then underline the detail in each box that most clearly distinguishes the term from a related concept. Students can compare two easily confused terms by completing separate Frayer Models and then organizing similarities and differences with the Venn Diagram Creator by Canva, reviewed here, to create a visual comparison. Ask students to create an illustrated Frayer Model with Google Drawings, reviewed here, using labeled images, arrows, and short explanations to make abstract vocabulary more concrete.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jigsaw - The Teacher Toolkit
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): collaboration (139), Formative Assessment (45), problem solving (287), teaching strategies (85), thinking routines (62)
In the Classroom
Students can use Stickies.io, reviewed here to share their information about the topic that they are learning about. Have students use Timeline Infographic Templates by Venngage, reviewed here to create a graphic organizer explaining the information. Students can use Google Slides, reviewed here to make a presentation to share the information they learned.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Printable Nature Journal for Kids - The Printables Fairy
Grades
K to 4This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (284), journals (27), plants (144), senses (23)
In the Classroom
Use a five senses graphic organizer from Canva for Education, reviewed here to help students as they are completing their journal. Create a video using ScreenPal, reviewed here of your outdoor adventure. Use Google My Maps, reviewed here to virtually visit other places around the world and virtually create nature journals of items found in the images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Alabama History Hub - Alabama Department of Archives & History
Grades
K to 12tag(s): 1700s (39), 1800s (90), 1900s (87), 2000s (2), 20th century (171), civil rights (223), civil war (146), primary sources (152), professional development (297), states (128)
In the Classroom
Students can work in small groups to compare different primary sources (letters, photos, or documents) from the site, discuss how each source provides a unique perspective, and then present their findings using a graphic organizer or sketchnote using Google Drawings, reviewed here. Students can use the Hub's lesson plans and activities to conduct a guided inquiry project where they develop a question about Alabama history, gather evidence from sources, and present a claim supported by reasoning. Students can explore the Alabama History Hub by selecting a time period (such as the Civil War or the Civil Rights era) and analyzing primary sources to create a short "history news report" summarizing key events and perspectives from that era. They can record using a digital tool such as Kapwing, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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AI for Differentiation in the Classroom: A Guide - Structural Learning
Grades
3 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (350), differentiation (102)
In the Classroom
After a lesson or reading assignment, have students work with the teacher to generate study guides that include vocabulary support, comprehension questions, summaries, and extension challenges. Students can choose the supports they need and reflect on which tools helped them learn most effectively. Set up learning stations that explore the same topic through different levels of support and challenge. One station may include guided questions and graphic organizers, another may focus on independent analysis, and a third may require students to apply concepts to a new situation or create an original product. Have students select a topic related to the current unit and develop a project that aligns with their learning needs and interests. AI-generated planning guides, research questions, and organizational tools help students work at an appropriate level while allowing for creativity and deeper exploration of the content. Learn more about how to use AI to differentiate instruction by watching the archive of OK2Ask: AI for Differentiation, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Primary Source Analysis Tool - Library for Congress
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): graphic organizers (60), primary sources (152)
In the Classroom
Print and share this tool for students to use when evaluating a primary source document. Students can then share their finished graphic organizer with Lino, reviewed here for others to view or include it as a supplement to a writing assignment or research project.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lesson Plan: Perseverance - Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): social and emotional learning (206), thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Students can use the graphic organizers that are provided with the lesson. Students can use ScreenPal, reviewed here to share how they show perseverance in their daily lives. Students can use the Interactive 2 Circle Venn Diagram by ReadWriteThink, reviewed here to compare and contrast how each Holocaust survivor showcases perseverance.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Habits of Minds Kids - Habits of Minds Kids
Grades
4 to 6tag(s): empathy (71), senses (23), thinking routines (62), thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the lessons from the website. Students can create a comic showing responsibility, understanding, or empathy using Free Comic Strip Maker by Adobe, reviewed here. Students can use ScreenPal, reviewed here to create short videos modeling the different Habits of Mind.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Juneteenth Lesson Plan: Resources for ELA & Social Studies - Newsela
Grades
K to 12tag(s): african american (131), differentiation (102), holidays (292), Juneteenth (33), multimedia (70)
In the Classroom
Have students read a differentiated Newsela article about Juneteenth and create a timeline using Padlet, reviewed here showing important events leading to the end of slavery in the United States. Students can add illustrations, key vocabulary, and cause-and-effect relationships. Create a classroom "Freedom Quilt" project where students design quilt squares representing themes such as freedom, resilience, equality, family, or community. Combine the squares into a collaborative classroom display. Have students compare Juneteenth celebrations today with other national holidays by using a graphic organizer using the 2 and 3 Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here to examine traditions, historical significance, symbols, music, food, and community events.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Discover Summer - National Summer Learning Academy
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Have students explore the website to find a summer program that interests them. Have students design their own "dream" summer camp based on ideas from the site. They can include a schedule, activities, and subjects covered, integrating writing, creativity, and planning skills. Students can choose two programs from the site and compare them using a graphic organizer using the 2 and 3 Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here. They can analyze cost, subjects, activities, and target age groups, building critical thinking skills.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Making Science a Part of Everyone's Story - Science Communication Lab
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): citizen science (44), climate change (112), dna (53), plants (144)
In the Classroom
As students are working on their project, they can use Google Drawings, reviewed here to create graphic organizers modeling the scientific method. Students can create their own short films showcasing their projects using FlexClip, reviewed here. Students can use Book Creator, reviewed here to showcase all student work.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): communication (125), thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Discover new tools to try in your classroom that foster thinking and communicating with clarity and precision. Also, explore the professional resources (for you). Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each resource and find the ones that will work for you and your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking Flexibly (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): flexibility (9)
In the Classroom
Discover new tools to try in your classroom that foster flexible thinking. Also, explore the professional resources (for you). Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each tool and find the ones that will work for you and your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How Metacognition Can Optimize Learning - Cult of Pedagogy
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Students can use mindmaps, reviewed here to create study resources. Students can use Google Drawing, reviewed here to create outlines and/or graphic organizers. Finally, students can use StoryMap JS, reviewed here to create story maps.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Top 5 Most Useful Metacognitive Strategies
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Slides, reviewed here to teach each other the material. Students can use Gimkit, reviewed here to create study questions. Students can use Figma, reviewed here to create outlines and/or graphic organizers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Canva Thinking Routine Templates - Teach Cheat
Grades
K to 8tag(s): graphic organizers (60), thinking routines (62), thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Encourage students to design digital portfolios or presentation slides that showcase their learning in ELA, science, or social studies, integrating text, images, and creativity through the Teach Cheat templates. Students can create goal-setting trackers or subject-specific study guides using planner templates or collaborate on digital thank-you cards to practice writing and design skills. Students can choose a poster or graphic organizer template to record what they see, think, and wonder about a text, image, or concept. They can add icons, images, and text boxes to illustrate each step.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking Resources for Teachers - Known Atom
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking routines (62), thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Have students make a claim about a character's motivation or a theme in the story, provide text evidence as support, and then generate a meaningful question that deepens discussion. They can share and respond in small groups. Have students identify one idea from the text they connect to, one new idea that extends their thinking, and one question that challenges their understanding. This routine deepens comprehension and encourages perspective-taking. Ask students to write a short headline that captures the main idea or most important moment in a poem or chapter, then justify their headline with specific text evidence. These can be shared or posted as an exit ticket on Padlet, reviewed here or a Collaboration Board on Nearpod, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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20+ Chemical Reactions to Try - Science Buddies
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): chemicals (37), experiments (67), matter (52)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Drawings reviewed here to create a sequencing graphic organizer to demonstrate step-by-step instructions. Students can use Seesaw reviewed here as a journal to explain their experimental hypothesis, outcomes, and reasoning. Students can use Free Screen Recorder Online reviewed here to record themselves completing their experiment.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking Routine Templates - TPT
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): brainstorming (17), graphic organizers (60), teaching strategies (85), thinking routines (62), thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Begin a new topic with an image, artifact, or short video clip. Have students use a See, Think, Wonder organizer to record observations, inferences, and questions. Have students complete a 3-2-1 Bridge before and after learning a concept (3 thoughts, 2 questions, 1 analogy). Using one of the printable templates available on the page, students can develop a claim about a topic, find supporting evidence, and pose further questions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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