The Ultimate Guide to Using Graphic Organisers in Explicit Teaching
How to Use Graphic Organisers to Strengthen Every Phase of Explicit Teaching
Graphic organisers are one of the most versatile and impactful tools in explicit teaching. Not only do they provide clarity, but they also add structure and engagement, transforming your lessons into focused and effective learning experiences. Whether you’re teaching maths, literacy, science, or humanities, graphic organisers can help your students grasp new concepts, practise skills, and reflect on their learning.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to integrate graphic organisers into your explicit teaching approach, share practical tips for implementation, and showcase examples to inspire your next lesson.
Why Graphic Organisers Are Essential for Explicit Teaching
Explicit teaching thrives on structure and clarity, and graphic organisers are designed to deliver both. By visually breaking down complex concepts, these tools help students make sense of information and follow a clear path to success.
Simplify Learning: Graphic organisers guide students step-by-step, reducing cognitive overload and helping them focus on the task at hand.
Increase Engagement: Their visual nature keeps students interested and actively involved in the learning process.
Promote Consistency: Using the same organiser across different lesson phases
(I Do, We Do, You Do) reinforces learning and ensures students know what’s expected.Support All Learners: Graphic organisers can be easily adapted for students of varying abilities, making them an inclusive and effective resource.
Reduces Planning Time: No more creating lesson presentation slides. Simply just model and guide students through the graphic organiser to complete a skill.
Integrating Graphic Organisers into Explicit Teaching
Modelled Instruction (I Do)
During the I Do phase, the teacher demonstrates the skill or concept step-by-step, often using a graphic organiser as the foundation. This phase is about clarity—students watch and listen as you verbalise your thought process.
How to Use:
Complete a worked example on the organiser in real time. Use “think alouds” to explain each step and why it’s important.
Avoid pre-completed examples during this phase. Students benefit most from seeing the process unfold live.
Example: In a lesson on place value, use a place value chart graphic organiser to model how to partition a three-digit number. Write the number into the organiser (Hundreds | Tens | Ones), and show the partitioning (eg 300 + 20 + 6)
Guided Practice (We Do)
In the We Do phase, you and your students work together to practise the skill, gradually reducing your input as they gain confidence. Here, the graphic organiser becomes a shared tool, guiding collaborative learning.
How to Use:
Revisit the same organiser used in the I Do phase. Simply change the numbers, text, or content to keep the task fresh.
Encourage students to complete sections in pairs or small groups while you provide feedback and support.
Activity Ideas:
Problem Pairs: Place a modelled example next to a similar problem for students to complete.
Faded Guidance: Provide partially filled organisers for students to complete collaboratively.
Step-by-Step Instruction: Guide students through one step at a time, completing each section together before moving on.
Independent Practice (You Do)
In the You Do phase, students should feel confident enough to tackle the graphic organiser independently. This phase solidifies their understanding and allows them to apply their skills in a structured way.
How to Use:
Provide the same organiser format used in earlier phases so students are familiar with the structure.
Have all questions + extension opportunities displayed on the board on one presentation slide so you are not required to click through the questions. This allows students to work at their own pace and frees up your time to provide support.
Offer differentiated tasks/support to meet the needs of all learners. For instance, advanced students could include challenge questions or additional sections for deeper exploration.
Offer additional guided examples with students who require further support. Pull them aside as a small, targeted group and guide students through the graphic organiser. Once they are confident, move them into independent practice.
Example: For a reading comprehension lesson, students can use a Venn diagram to compare two characters independently, drawing on insights from the guided practice phase.
Practical Tips for Using Graphic Organisers
Print and Laminate for Reuse
Save time and resources by laminating organisers or using dry erase pockets. As a result, you can reuse them across different topics.Display Step-by-Step Instructions
Always include clear instructions for how to complete the organiser. This ensures students stay on track and don’t skip important steps.Model the Process First
Complete a worked example with your students before asking them to use the organiser. By verbalising your thoughts, you’ll show them how to approach the task.Incorporate Interactive Elements
When modelling or guiding a skill use pair-share, cold calling, or quick-response activities like “Show me” boards to keep students engaged.Plan for Fast Finishers
Have additional tasks or challenges ready for students who finish quickly. For example, they could create their own organiser to summarise a concept or extend their learning.Check for Understanding in Real Time
When you check for understanding during instruction, you’re not just assessing students. You’re gathering live feedback on your teaching.
Mini whiteboards give you an instant snapshot of who’s getting it and who’s not. It’s fast, visual, and low pressure.
This simple step helps you decide in the moment who’s ready for independent practice and who needs a few more guided examples before moving on.
Examples of Graphic Organisers in Action
Graphic organisers are incredibly adaptable and can be used across a wide range of subjects. Here are some examples to inspire you:
Maths
Fact Family Chart: Visualise relationships between operations.
Flowchart for Multi-Step Problems: Break down problem-solving steps clearly.
Literacy
Story Map: Analyse setting, plot, and resolution.
Venn Diagram: Compare and contrast characters or themes.
Science
Cause-and-Effect Diagram: Identify variables and their outcomes.
Step-by-Step Lab Sheet: Outline experiment procedures with space for observations.
Humanities
Timeline: Arrange historical events chronologically.
SWOT Analysis: Examine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in a case study.
Why Graphic Organisers Are a Must-Have for Teachers
Graphic organisers are more than just a teaching tool—they’re a game-changer for explicit instruction. They provide structure and clarity while making your lessons more effective and your students more confident. By integrating graphic organisers into your explicit teaching approach, you’ll save time while creating a consistent and supportive learning environment.
Looking for More Ideas?
Explore more Brolga Education resources:
Collection of Free Graphic Organisers (Canva Templates)
Brolga Education
Created by Trudy Mayo — explicit teaching specialist & curriculum writer.
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