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Graphic Organisers 

A Graphic Organiser is a tool which communicates the content of our curriculum in an organised manner. When learning, conceptual information enters our working memory first. Our working memory is small and we can only absorb a limited amount of information at any one time. We need to process information so that it is stored in our long-term memory. Our long-term memory has much more capacity. Once information is in our long-term memory, we can retrieve it whenever needed. Using a Graphic Organiser is one way of supporting the process of storing established facts in the long- term memory and the process of quickly and efficiently being able to retrieve such facts.

At Shakespeare, a Graphic Organiser is one of our essential 'memory tools' which creates opportunities for our pupils to connect ideas, concepts and knowledge together. It provides the pupil’s with a tool so that they can confidently communicate what they have learnt and identify links within their learning. The dual-coded words and images act as a prompt for pupils to bring knowledge from the 'back' to the 'front' of the brain, and with regular retrieval practise, will help learning 'stick'.

In our wider curriculum sessions, every lesson will begin with reviewing of the unit's Graphic Organiser. The tool provides the opportunity to recap previous knowledge but also introduce knowledge which will be taught within that session through a modelled approach. Whilst using the Graphic Organiser, we review previously taught vocabulary and model new vocabulary.

Young designers at home 

We would love to see any design and technology projects that you have undertaken at home. Send us some photos and we will add them to our home learning gallery.