Beyond Word Webs:Using Graphic Organizers in the ABE Math Classroom

Laura PrettymanAEOA

Laura.prettyman@aeoa.org

What are graphic organizers?Diagrams organizing or highlighting key

informationClearly labeled main branch and sub-branchesNumbers, arrows, or lines showing sequence

Why use graphic organizers?Help students develop a problem-solving planHelp students identify key informationGood for students with disabilitiesCan be with low-levels through transitions

Introducing graphic organizersDirect Instruction

Review prior knowledgePresent organizerGuided practiceCorrections and/or feedbackIndependent practiceWeekly and monthly reviews

Teacher-Directed Student-DirectedProvide partially

completed organizerHave students read

information or problemsProvide direct teacher

instruction of readings while completing identical organizer

Fill out organizer with class

Students complete organizer using prompts.

Teacher acts as facilitator.

Students may check answers on teacher copy.

What to organize?Choose passages that:

Are 1500 words or lessFit the organizer you are teachingMay be difficult for students to understand

Webs

Story Problems

• Summarize the problem.

Step 1

• What’s the first step?

Step 2

• What’s the next step?

Step 3

• What’s the next step?

Think

• Does the answer make sense?

Jon and his two brothers split the cost of renting a hunting shack for a deer hunting trip. Daily rental was $89.50. If they rent the shack for six days, how much is each brothers’ share of the rental cost?

Re-Say

How many hours will a car travelling at 65 miles per hour take to catch up to a car travelling at 55 miles per hour if the slower car leaves one hour before the faster car?

Hour 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Slower car

55 110 165 220 275 330 385

Faster Car

0 65 130 195 260 325 390

Ben Jack Paul

Ben scored 7 more points than Jack in a basketball game. Paul scored 2 points less than Jack in the same game. If the three boys scored a total of 38 points, how many points did Jack score?

Math SortsHands onGood for low-level learnerDevelops critical thinking/categorizing skills

needed for new GED

Math Matches

Rule of Four Link Helps students

Visualize multiple approaches to problem-solving

Make connections between representationsUnderstand the connections Communicate understanding

http://www.umassmed.edu/MathGraphicOrganizers.aspx

http://www.umassmed.edu/MathGraphicOrganizers.aspx

SplashesOften used in conjunction with Rule of Four

LinkDifferent way to review informationGreat for small groups

http://www.umassmed.edu/MathGraphicOrganizers.aspx

Math Vocabulary & Note TakingStudents need

Explicit instructionRepeated practiceOpportunities to explore examples

Frayer Model or Information Frame

WorCommutative Property of Addition

Words:Changing the order of addends doesnot change the sum.

Numbers:

4+3 = 3+4Algebra:

a + b = b + a

Example:

Use for mental math calculations23 + 19 + 7 = 23 + 7 + 19

Term BoxTerm: ________________ Examples

Definition from math book:

Definition in your own words:

Non-Examples Extension

Sketch or give two non-examples of _________________.

Sketch or give two examples of _____________________.

Give two examples of how _________is used in the real world.

Vocab Note BoxConcept Explanation Example

Slope of a line

Slope intercept form

y intercepty = (0, b)

http://usablealgebra.landmark.edu/instructor-training/beneficial-practices/

Slope is the ratio of the vertical change to the horizontal change in a line. Slope = m

m = change in y change in x

y = mx + b m = slope b = y intercept y = -3x-2 m = -3

1 b = (0, -2)

Where a given line crosses the y axis

References University of Massachusetts Regional Resource Center

http://www.umassmed.edu/MathGraphicOrganizers.aspx Math Graphics Organizers for Students with Disabilities

http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/mathgraphicorganizers.asp

Think Literacy: Cross Curriculum Approaches http://oame.on.ca/main/files/thinklit/FrayerModel.pdf

Association for Middle Level Education http://www.amle.org/Publications/MiddleSchoolJournal/Articles/

November2009/Article4/tabid/2083/Default.aspx Center for Urban Education

http://teacher.depaul.edu/ Teacher Vision

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/math/problem-solving/48897.html?for_printing=1&detoured=1

Universal Design of College Algebra http://usablealgebra.landmark.edu/instructor-training/beneficial-

practices/