Warning: Graphic Content

(click the image for access to the graphic content)

All right, now that we've gotten the graphic content (and the recap out of the way), we're going to move straight into the analysis and application portions of the blog post.

Learning about all of the graphic organizers and which ones to use based on what you want students to accomplish/do was incredibly helpful--especially because in the English department we are quite fond of our graphic organizers. Knowing that a T-chart is an ineffective way of dealing with Cause/Effect but an acceptable way of dealing with Compare/Contrast is one example of why this information is helpful. Furthermore, knowing that Venn diagrams have not died out completely (despite being rather ancient) is also beneficial.

Graphic organizers as used for comprehension are essential in the English world and something that will be incorporated into my future lessons without fail. They are great tools to help students understand the structure of a novel, keep the characters straight, and they are even better brainstorming tools for the writing process and for needed essay prompts. My current favorite graphic organizer (besides the Venn Diagram of boys who don't like smart girls and boys you don't want to date) is the Purse/Wallet GO. It's designed to help classify/describe characters by encouraging students to draw what might be in the character's purse/wallet/backpack/pockets. I see myself using that one for books with lots of characters--especially characters set in historical works (like Macbeth).

Bonus fact: the Venn Diagram of "Boys who don't like smart girls" and "boys you don't want to date" is a circle.