Are your students struggling with random facts that don’t seem to connect? Can they see the “big picture” of a difficult concept that you want them to learn? Try this type of graphic organizer – a Concept Circle.

What is it?
This is a graphic organizer that is divided into sections to hold words/symbols that are connected by a common relationship.

Here is a student example:

How Does It Work?           

1.    Students are shown a circle, each quarter of which contains a word or phrase.

2.    Students must then describe or name the concept to which all the sections relate.

3.    In doing this, students have to determine the meaning of each word, analyze the connections among the words, and think of a concept or relationship that ties the words together.

 

Why use it?

Students will identify unfamiliar concepts and vocabulary and create a visual reference for concepts and vocabulary.