Graphic Organizer
Graphic organizers are a great way to have a child put his
ideas or information into an organized manner and see it all at once. A graphic organizer can be used in many
different forms; such as, to sequence a story, stating story elements
(characters, setting, and plot) and, comparing and contrasting characters or
settings. Graphic organizers are a great way for students to use as cues to recall
different components of a story. A graphic organizer can also be used during
tests for students with an I.E.P. or a student who is struggling. Graphic
organizers can be used independently or together with a group. Teachers need to
model how to fill out a graphic organizer and model how to use it. Once a child
has been using a graphic organizer independently and able to identify story
elements in their reading comprehension, gradually fade them out of using the
graphic organizer. The following are
some examples of graphic organizers that can be use with students when they
read a story.
Repeated Reading
Rereading a story is a great way for students to recall
different events in a story. Students can reread a story in order to recall or
answer questions they might have forgotten about the story. Also, a great way to enhance a child’s reading
fluency is by rereading a sentence with a word the child does not understand.
It teaches students to find cues within the sentence or paragraph in order to figure
out the meaning of a word. Also, rereading a story helps the students understand
the story more in depth and grasp things they might have missed the first time.
Repeated reading can be done as a whole class activity or in partners. If done
in partners is important to choose the reading level lower between the two
students. The higher level reader can go first and model reading for the lower
level reader. Also, is important to have word walls in order for the students
to connect the words they read and use it in their writing.
Comprehension
Comprehension is an important aspect in reading; students
need to understand what they are reading in order to put text into meaning.
Prediction is a great way to begin a read aloud, teachers sometime do a picture
walk or focus on the title and the title page in order to spark interest and
get the students thinking and guessing. Also, summarizing is a good comprehension
skill that helps students identify the main idea of a story. Also, with
summarizing comes retelling, which is a great skill and helps students retain
information. If a student has great
comprehension skills, that student will be good at asking and answering questions.
Orlando’s Case
A graphic organizer as well as repeated reading will help Orlando
achieve the goal of being able to read a passage and retell the main events as
well as retell the main components of a story. The graphic organizer will help
Orlando use as a cue to recall and retain information pertaining to the stories
he reads. Also, using comprehension strategies; such as, predicting and
summarizing will enhance Orlando’s ability to identify the main idea and events
of stories. A great example of a graphic organizer that can be used to help
Orlando with his reading comprehension is as follow:
These organizers may be used to summarize the main events in
the story “The Three Little Pigs”.
If you want to isolate a certain character and
know a bit more about a specific character this graphic organizer would be
suitable. 
Summarizing, or putting in a story
in sequential order, this graphic organizer would be great. 
If you want to compare and contrast events,
characters, or anything else this organizer will help Orlando. 