Teaching Main Idea With Graphic Organizer

Tired of students staring blankly at the text, unable to grasp the gist? Let teaching the main idea with graphic organizers help you decode.

So, what’s the big deal about graphic organizers? Well, they help students organize information in a way that makes sense to them. Think of it like building a mind map: key concepts form the central hub, with supporting details branching out, creating a clear picture of the text’s overall message.

What are Graphic Organizers?

Graphic organizers are visual tools that help students organize their thinking. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including identifying the main idea, supporting details, cause and effect, and compare and contrast.

How can Graphic Organizers Help Students Identify the Main Idea?

Graphic organizers provide a visual framework for students to break down a text and identify the key elements. This can make it easier for them to see how the different parts of the text relate to each other and to pinpoint the main message.

Different Types of Graphic Organizers that can be Used to Teach the Main idea

1. The Web –

This is a simple graphic organizer that consists of a circle in the centre with lines radiating out from it. The main idea is written in the centre circle, and the supporting details are written on the lines.

2. The Venn diagram –

This graphic organizer is used to compare and contrast two things. It can be used to help students identify the main idea of two different texts or to identify the main similarities and differences between two things.

3. The T-chart –

This graphic organizer is used to compare and contrast two things. It can be used to help students identify the main idea of two different texts or to identify the main similarities and differences between two things.

4. The Cause and Effect Diagram –

This graphic organizer is used to show how one thing leads to another. It can be used to help students identify the main cause of an event or the main effect of an action.

Here are a few popular picks from Workybooks library for teaching main Idea with graphic organizer.

Main Idea Chart – Columns listing the main idea, supporting ideas 1, 2, 3, and details in corresponding rows.

Remember, the key is to choose the organizer that best suits the text and your students’ needs. Download the graphic organizer here.