GraphicOrganizersandEnglishLanguageLearners.docxVIP

Using the findings and research of Edwin Ellis and G Presented by the ESL Department of Pittsburgh Public Schools Graphic Organizers and English Language Learners What are graphic organizers? Graphic organizers reveal the organization of concepts and/or relationships between those concepts. The learner does not have to process heavy amounts of language in order to understand the concept being taught. This aspect of graphic organizers is critical for ESL students to understand challenging ideas. Graphic organizers help to make information more precise and eliminates superfluous detail. Why use graphic organizers with ESL students? Graphic organizers are essential tools to help develop cognitive skills and strategic thinking across grade levels They help to promote analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills for all students regardless of language proficiency A substitute for rote memorization Helps to integrate content and language together Forces students to utilize the four domains of English: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking Can promote classroom discussion Teachers can intentionally teach specific academic vocabulary and concepts You, as teacher, show and not tell students what is important in your lesson Examples of Graphic Organizers Brainstorming Pie Charts T-Charts Pro/Cons Chart Venn Diagrams Pyramids Mind Maps Compare/Compare Matrix Webs K-W-L Charts Flow Charts Stair Steps Time Lines Cause and Effect Maps Aren’t Students Just Copying From The Board With Graphic Organizers? Graphic organizers are like an iceberg. There’s much more learning going on beneath the surface than appears. Before recording information, students perform higher order thinking skills such as: Recognizing important information Making decisions about this information Consolidating details Finding a clear and concise means to relay this information Of particular note with ESL students Remember that you can include all students in graphic organizer activ