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graphic organizers to meet the needs of one’s students is an easy way to maximize
                             the effectiveness of the strategy. The template in Figure 1 closely follows Gould at
                             al.’s Four Square Method (2010) but is adapted to fit the needs of individual students
                             and the assignment of an informational essay. It includes a hook, topic sentence,
                             three facts, two examples for each fact, and then a restatement of the topic sentence,
                             facts, and hook. Rather than having four quadrants, it has five, as the expectation for
                             the writing assignment is a five-paragraph essay rather than four. Students are able
        Dr. Nicole Smith is a   to make the connection that each section of the organizer is designed to be its own
        past president of Alpha   paragraph, which then allows them to visualize the sectioning and organization of
        Iota Chapter in Nebraska   their work as they are writing.
        State Organization. As an
        instructional coach and
        UNO CADRE Associate in   Figure 1
        Bellevue Public Schools,   Graphic Organizer Template
        she embraces working
        with first-year teachers
        and aiding them in
        continuing their research.

        nicole.smith@bpsne.net














































                             Graphic Organizers in Practice
                                Explicitly teaching students how to use the graphic organizer through modeling
                             and  guided  practice  will  ensure  that  students  understand  the  purpose  of  using
                             graphic organizers and promote correct usage. Modeling is essential to teaching a



        8                                            The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin: International Journal for Professional Educators
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