Organizational Patterns
Why
Learners can become critical readers as they apply these five organizational patterns or graphic organizers because these pattterns help learners to...
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see the text structure and organization
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create or discover the main idea
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learn and organize information as they read
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synthesize by finding relationships between ideas and content
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analyze a text's argument or main idea
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summarize what they have learned (in their own words)
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monitor their comprehension
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create notes and reviews
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prove that they are learning and comprehending
Learners can not only use these for reading, but they can also add to them as they listen to lectures or read texts on similar topics.
When
Slash: This pattern is good with clear themes and ideas. It is fast, simple and easy to use. The organization shows the main points and supporting details and how they are connected. It is also easy to add new or outside information.
Linear: This pattern is really good with text that is organized and logical. Often textbooks (especially math and science) use a traditional outline and have titles, headings, and summaries that make this pattern easy to create.
Web or Radial: This pattern is a lot like a wheel or connecting web. It is very good at showing main points and supporting details, like slash. However, this allows learners to more easily link ideas together, and allows for one or two main ideas. This pattern is good for texts that have multiple focuses like fiction and journal articles where the main ideas may be who, what, where, when, why and how.
Pictorial: This pattern is the visually the most impressive. It allows the reader to think and review creatively (good for visual learners). The reader can create a visual or a symbol to help represent the ideas. They must remember to keep the image large but simple. The picture's goal is to help the reader remember the subject or content.
Random: This pattern is great for texts that have low or no organization. All learners need to do is randomly write down facts, ideas, and concepts as they read. After reading, they create the organizations and connects by using arrows, labeled lines, or loops. This is a great way to find relationships and connections among ideas and then use those connections to identify the main point (synthesizing).
How
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Learners may choose to preview the text before reading (optional)
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They should then read, at a comfortable pace, a "chunk" of material (this can be a paragraph, section or page).
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After reading the chunk, think or talk about what they have read (recite). They then write down a few words or phrases about what they have read.
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Learners will continue this pattern of reading, reciting, and writing in chunks. They should remember to organize their notes according to the pattern or style choosen.
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After completing the reading, they should review their notes and fill in any missing connections, ideas or thoughts. In some of the patterns they will also identify the main idea or topic at the end.
Tips:
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Don't forget to write. Learners can write notes on a new sheet of paper or note card. (Sometimes, writing in the book is also ok.)
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Keep notes short and simple. Learners do not need to write in full and complete sentences.
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Help learners avoid copying or memorizing large sections. This will not help them synthesize and find connections.
To view and learn about additional graphic organizers click here.