1. "...when the sole purpose of a graphic organizer becomes filling it out correctly, it is nothing more than a worksheet." I picked this quote from the book because it made me think of how we used graphic organizers in school. Most of the time, it was something we turned in for a grade, and we completed them like a worksheet. I think that considering how the graphic organizer is to be used is very important. I think that we need to know how to use them in the classroom to where they will be beneficial to the students instead of using them as a worksheet.
2. How do you keep a graphic organizer part of everyday instruction without it turning into a worksheet?
3. Last week I substituted for a third grade class, and I had to go over concept maps. I made one on the board to model for them how to create one. After they completed their concept map, they had to use it to write a descriptive paragraph about their topic. My favorite was one a little boy did. He brought his to me and asked me to look at it. He decided to do his on Spiderman. They only had to write six things to describe their topic, but he had ten things. I handed it back to him and said, "This is great. You sure do know alot about Spiderman." He looked up at me and said, "Well, yeah, I'm kinda his biggest fan." This chapter brought me back to that experience since it was all about graphic organizers.
I'm with you Ashley, if it becomes a worksheet, it's dead meat. That's what my older sister used to say to be me if I questioned her authority, or if I ate her cereal--I was "dead meat." I could list 10 things about my sister, but not because I was her biggest fan. I am kinda her biggest fan now though. :) You make a good point, as does the chapter, about how organizers need to be put to use beyond just doing them. Like writing about Spiderman in your example. Nice Ashley. BTW, you and I should write a CIR411MW rap together. Just saying, with our skillz.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely should! You have some pretty mad skillz. I lack beat.
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