How to Set Up a Graphic Organizer Corner in the Classroom
Teachers use graphic organizers in every curriculum area for organizing students' thoughts about different areas. Venn diagrams help students understand how things are alike and different. Other organizers help students learn science skills, mix colors in art or write a story. Graphic organizers help students think in a more organized pattern. Once the student gets the information in a usable form, the information is processed into stories, research papers or works of art. If students have a variety of graphic organizers available, the students' work can improve greatly.
Things You'll Need
- Printed copies of graphic organizers
- Examples of completed graphic organizers
- 8 1/2-by-11-inch clear plastic sleeves
- Masking tape
- Bulletin board paper
- Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
- Table
- Trays
- Pencils
- Short shelves (optional)
Instructions
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Make a class set of each type of graphic organizer that you want in your organizer corner. Fill out one of each type of organizer as an example, and put the example in a plastic sleeve. There are many different types of organizers, so you may need to choose your favorite ones for classroom use.
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Use the hot glue gun, and put a solid colored sheet of bulletin board paper on the wall for a background. Decorate the wall, and attach an example of each organizer over the area designated for the table. Make sure you put plenty of tape. If the examples fall down, use hot glue for attaching the examples to the wall. Post examples of organizers students use without a printed sheet. Students use graphic organizers they make more often than ones that are printed for them. Have plenty of hand-drawn examples on the wall.
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3
Push a table in front of the decorated wall, all the way against the wall. Put a small tray for each type of graphic organizer on the table across the back by the wall. Put the graphic organizers in the trays. Put pencils in a tray on the table if you want students working at the graphic organizer corner. If students get the organizers and work at their desks, there's no need for pencils in the corner.
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Put chairs in front of the table for people working at the table. If students work at their desks, don't put chairs at the table.
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Put short shelf units under the decorated wall instead of the table if you use many different organizers. You need the extra shelf space for trays full of organizers.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have room for a table, use a free corner. Attach pockets on the wall containing different types of organizers. Put an example in a pocket above the pocket containing copies of graphic organizers for the students. If students are removing copies from pockets, make sure you glue the pockets with hot glue. Children are rough on items on desks and on walls in a classroom.
Keep an eye on students working in the graphic organizer corner. Students find ways to get in trouble if not monitored properly. Do not put anything in front of the corner that obstructs your view.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit young boy studying image by Stepanov from Fotolia.com
