How to Teach Students to Read Flow Charts in Primary Grades

Make flow charts accessible to your students.

Teachers can aid their primary school students in their understanding by providing them with graphics that both engage and convey information, such as with a flow chart. While flow charts may initially seem intimidating, once students learn how to interpret the information contained on these charts, the tools can be highly useful to young learners. Before integrating flow charts into your primary school class, educate your pupils on the process by which they can read these information-rich graphs.

Things You'll Need

• Flow chart examples
• LCD project
• Screen or interactive white board
• Print copies of flow charts

Instructions

1. Project a flow chart example onto your classroom overhead screen or interactive whiteboard using an LCD projector. This makes it possible for all students to view the chart together. Select a chart with an interesting topic for the students, such as the process by which a child selects a new toy. Doing so increases the students' natural interest in the topic and may make it easier to maintain their attention.

2. Explain the purpose of a flow chart. Tell students that a flow chart is intended to make a process or chains of information easier to understand. Create a list of ways in which a flow chart accomplishes this goal with students, writing their suggestions on the board. For example, your students may say that it uses symbols or contains fewer words, making it easier to read. Compile a list of these suggestions.

3. Show students the starting point. Explain to them that the starting point always contains either the topic of the chart or the first step in the outlined process. Tell students that they can identify the starting point by finding the shape that has no arrows pointing to it, but only arrows moving out to other shapes.

4. Ask a student volunteer to step up to the projected chart and follow the line from the starting point with his finger, showing peers where to go next on the flow chart. Instruct the pupil to read each section of text he reaches and continue to move through the chart, following the arrows to read the steps or series of information in the proper order.

5. Read through the flow chart as a class, asking the students questions as you measure their understanding. Pose questions such as, "What did we learn from that section of the chart?" or "Based on what the chart tells us, what is the second thing we would do in this process?" Try to call on as many different students as possible, allowing numerous students to demonstrate their understanding.

6. Divide students into groups, giving each group a flow chart and questions to accompany the chart in order to test their understanding. Ask the students to work cooperatively to move through the chart and answer the questions.

7. Engage students in creating their own flow charts. Ask each pupil to create a flow chart of a process that she completes daily, such as brushing her teeth. Allow students to share their flow charts with their peers.

References

• Carnegie Melon University: All About Flow Charts
• Nebraska Social Studies: Teaching Strategies for Students with Diverse Learning Needs