Science Skills: Using Graphic Organizers to Master Science Information

We all know that the volume of information in a science textbook is overwhelming for many of our students.  Take time at the beginning of the school year to teach some simple skills to help your students learn to organize the information into a manageable form.  We have a saying in my classroom:  "Be the master of the information.  Do not let the information master you."

With just a little direction students can learn a few techniques that will help them master the information all year long.   Science is so orderly and logical that the use of graphic organizers as a study technique makes perfect sense.  There are many different types of organizers, but the ones that work best for me are concept maps, event chains and cycle maps.

At the beginning of each year, I take the time to teach this important skill to my students.  I give them passages to read and then we practice organizing the information using either a concept map, an events chain or a cycle map.

At first I give the students a diagram to fill in, such as the one seen below:

But very quickly I have my students designing and drawing their own concept maps.  Once students get the hang of the technique, many of them find it to be a fun and enjoyable way to study!

Graphic Organizers: Tools for Mastering Science Concepts