Math Graphic Organizers

Most teachers and home school parents associate graphic organizers or visual organizers as helping with reading and other subjects. However, there are graphic organizers that will assist a student in learning math concepts. These organizers are especially helpful for students who are visual learners. Some of these graphic organizers are specific to math while some are used in other subjects as well.

The first, and most commonly known graphic organizer for math is the multiplication grid. There are also grids for number counting, counting by multiples, and addition and subtraction. One such organizer can be found at http://www.mathsisfun.com/multiplication-table-color.html.

A hierarchical graphic organizer can be used for different operations in math, but is usually associated with learning to factor polynomials .These hierarchical organizers show information for monomials, binomials and trinomials. http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/mathgraphicorganizers.asp

Most teachers, parents and students are familiar with the Venn diagram. This organizer is known as a compare and contrast device. The Venn diagram is a wonderful math teaching tool when teaching basic math facts such as odd, even, prime, or whole numbers, where math facts might overlap into two categories. A three circle Venn diagram can also be used for more complicated groupings. http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/mathgraphicorganizers.asp

A step or sequence chain can be used to solve problems that require several steps. One such use would be to remember the Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally mnemonic device ( Order of operations, or parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. ) Another use is for the steps chart is in solving a word problem. http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/mathgraphicorganizers.asp

Spider maps are a wonderful way to group bits of related information together. A spider map can be used in math to list number facts, such as multiples of a certain number or ways to arrive at a number.The example listed here show ways to come up with the number ten. http://teacher.depaul.edu/Ten%20Ways%20to%20Make%2010.pdf

A teacher can also use other familiar blank graphic organizers and adapt them to whatever area she is teaching. Two I have used in the past are the t chart and a KWL chart. In addition, there are various on line programs that will let an individual create a graphic organizer. Many of these programs are free.

By using graphic organizers in math, all students can benefit from an organized method to learn order of operations, math facts, and steps in a math process. Those students who are visual learners will especially benefit from using math graphic organizers.