Cloud clusters. Web organizers. Both are great ways to help students get organized. For that matter, they are great ways to get me organized!
Test out these organizers before you use them with students. All start out on a single piece of paper. Their intent is similar: to organize ideas and information. Their appeal varies by age and a student’s ability to visualize information and can provide interesting information on how kids think.
Cloud clusters are large, fluffy ovals. Encourage young children to organize their thoughts by writing down words or short reminders for what they want to say.
For example: My fluffy clouds might read… Bowdie, my dog … his tricks … swimming… his new dog house. I’d number the clouds to help me decide what to share first, next and next (either aloud or the order I want to write or draw) about Bowdie.
Web organizers become more complex. The author of the web starts with a small circle in the center of the paper where the subject is written. Other ideas are added randomly in smaller circles and attached to the subject circle or to other random idea circles as new information is thought up or found in sources being used to write about the subject.
For example: Bowdie…my dog…3 years old…the vet visit…his toys… his new dog house…his tricks… my torn shoe…chasing the cat… his collar…on a trip…lost in the park…the dog next door…the dog catcher…his birthday cake…obedience school…swimming…the dog door…etc.
The web becomes a mass of circles, as information is collected and/or crossed out. Clarity suggests the web be redone to organize thoughts and information or that the author move on to use a story map before attempting to write from the web. (I use a spider web for my writing and divide the topics onto legs with related details written beneath)
Never tried these organizers yourself? Give them a whirl then let me know what you think. You can find handfuls of organizers online by searching for graphic organizers. If you find an especially helpful one, let me know.