Using Graphic Organisers to Teach Math Skills

November 14, 2024

My experience with graphic organisers in mathematics started in my first year of teaching. I remember being told to focus on the process, not the answer. This got me thinking; how can this be done so that students remember the process without a long list of instructions. I knew that visual examples were best and this is when I started to design graphic organisers for Math skills. You may be wondering how to do this. Over the years, I have realised that there are so many different ways to use graphic organisers to engage learners. Today I will share with you reasons why you should use graphic organisers to teach mathematics skills. Also included are some tips on how to use them and some templates you can customise and download today.

Why Use Math Skills Graphic Organisers?

Drives instruction: Graphic organisers act as a visual guide for the lesson. You can structure your lesson around completing each part of the graphic organiser. Once you have found a solid graphic organiser, you can use it for modelled, guided and independent practice and just change the numbers.
Time Saver: Without the need to create lesson slides, you will find yourself saving time. Laminate the graphic organiser or use in a dry erase pocket. Then you can use the same organiser repeatedly within the lesson and for future practice sessions. You have one template that has many uses.
Check for understanding: They can be used as 'Show me' boards. You can have your students complete a section in guided practice and scan the room for correct answers or common mistakes. This allows you to check for student understanding as you teach.
Student feedback: You can use the graphic organisers as if they are mini whiteboards or show me boards. Having the students hold up their graphic organiser, you can view the entire class and how they completed the math skill. You can give real-time collective feedback or verbal feedback to individuals. By having a large, visual display of each step required to complete a skill, you can easily review the students' work. It is easy to see where they make mistakes and you can give real-time feedback.
Active learning: Have your students complete the graphic organiser with you, rather than just watching and being told what to do, students are actively involved and engaged.

Tips for Using Graphic Organisers

Laminate or use in dry erase pockets: This will save you so much time! Print a class set, and laminate or put into a folder to use in dry erase pockets. This means that you can use it again in the future during skill practice and again in future years.
Display step by step instructions: This allows students to follow along and refer back to the instructions if they forget how to use the graphic organiser.
Use scaffolding: Ensure that the graphic organiser doesn't skip any important steps, or guides students through steps that are commonly skipped or erroneously applied. An effective graphic organiser will have the students display their working at each step.
Model how to use the graphic organiser: Always complete a worked examples where you show your students how to complete the math skill with the organiser by verbalising your thoughts. Try to avoid pre-completed examples (unless it's a poster or display), as students need to see the skill completed in real-time.
Repeat guided instruction for support: You can complete additional guided examples with smaller groups of students who need the extra support.
Plan for different levels of understanding: Remember that there will be students who will quickly pick up the skill. It's important to have activities planned for independent practice that students can just pick up and do at their desk. This might involve displaying a list of questions on the projector, or having a worksheet / workbook where students can display their understanding. Remember to include some challenge questions or projects for those who move through the work really quickly.

More Templates

This printable Maths Skills Canva template contains 40+ maths skills graphic organisers that can be used on any numbers or problems during math centres. To optimise learning during math centres, each page includes learning intentions and success criteria for visible learning. These templates have been designed to SAVE YOU TIME as they are dry erase maths mats that can be used repeatedly year after year.