Graphic organizers are visual representations of information and knowledge. Also called, concept or mind maps, graphic organizers typically take a central idea and display other information pertinent to the central idea. For example, if the central idea is a state like Indiana, other information surrounding the picture of the state should relate back such as major farm crops, activities, state flower and flag. Have younger students create a graphic organizer about themselves. Some ideas: a family tree, favorite activities, where they live and favorite holidays.
Kidspiration 3 has 5 different visual math tools. These tools include base ten blocks, fraction boxes, colored tiles, pattern tiles and fraction tiles. Use these tools when working with fractions. The students will be able to use these manipulative tools to gain a better understanding of the material presented. For example, the fraction boxes will help students visualize what the fraction 5/8 is a box divided into 8 sections with 5 sections colored in. A teacher and present questions for students to identify the fraction or ask students to create a fraction box for a provided fraction.
Venn diagrams are overlapping circles which provide a compare and contrast visual representation of information. For example, if the central idea is birds, one circle may include birds that fly and the other circle would be birds that swim. The center section where the two circles overlap would include birds that do both fly and swim. Present pictures to birds that just fly such as an eagle or robin, birds that just swim like penguins and birds that do both like ducks and geese.
Kidspiration 3 can also be used to demonstrate cycles that occur in nature. Ask the students to make a visual representation of the water cycle. The diagram would include the sun, evaporation, condensation, precipitation and ground water. Another cycle students can create is life cycles. Life cycles of a frog or of butterflies are easy to create and they give a visual representation of how the animal begins life and changes throughout its life cycle.
For younger grades such as kindergarten and first grade, an important aspect is learning patterns and basic categorization. Create boxes with pictures for the students to view. In each box place three related pictures and one that does not belong. The students must select the image that does not belong and place it into another box. Another activity for categorization includes placing animals into the correct categories. This can be invertebrates and vertebrates, or placing the animal into categories such as bird, fish, reptile, amphibian or mammal.