Graphic Organizers for Visual Learners: 10 Thinking Tools

This PDF resource includes 10 print and go graphic organiser templates to support visual thinking routines in your classroom. Including;

Brainstorm,
KWL,

Y Chart, 

3-2-1,

Draw and Write,

Venn Diagram,

Is, Is Not,

4 Square, 

Cause and Effect, and

Storyboard. 

Visual thinking tools can be used with all ages and levels and across any curriculum or subject area. They are excellent for independent work, collaborative group work, whole class instruction, formative and summative assessment tasks, student reflection, and more!

Ideas for Use
To use this resource in the classroom, I advise specifically teaching each thinking routine to all students. Once the students are familiar with each routine, they can then be given the opportunity to select the tool that best suits the information they are reviewing and sharing, This process gives students more agency and autonomy over their learning.

Another powerful use is to ask students to complete a visual thinking tool prior to beginning a new topic, unit or reading. This information can be used by the teacher to assess prior knowledge and help plan the direction of the unit of work. Once the teaching of the unit is complete, ask students to repeat the process. This will show how their thinking has change of the unit and how their knowledge has grown. Choosing two different coloured pens will easily show prior and post knowledge.

Why Use Graphic Organisers

Graphic organisers and visual thinking routines allow students a tool to simplify complex thinking. They give them an opportunity to deep dive into the content that is being taught. These tools give students a visual representation of the relationship between concepts and supports them to organise and clarify their ideas and to be able to share their thinking with others.

These tools should become a part of every teacher's toolbox to ensure quality teaching and learning.