The Hand Model (Graphic organizer)

Graphic organizers are a great instructional tool and strategy for visual learners. Graphic organizers can be used in a variety of subject areas to show differences and sorting of items, to explain a new concept, or to guide students in their writing. A subject in which graphic organizers are often found is language. The hand model, in which students are given a picture of a hand, can be used to organize writing, or to help summarize a passage that they have read. With the hand model, each finger represents who, what, where, when, or why, and the palm represents the how.

       When teaching summarizing, students can use the hand model to see the key aspects of a summary. They have a visual reminder that they need to include the who, what, where, why and how. As well, if a student struggles with their writing, it can be used to assess their ability to summarize. It can be done in point form to ensure the student understands what happened in the passage, without seeming as difficult or intimidating as writing a paragraph may be for some students.