Episode 29: Foldable Graphic Organizers and Interactive Notebooks with Lynda R. Williams

Lynda Williams started teaching elementary school and now teaches beginning teachers at Utah Valley University.  She has been in education for 28 years. She specializes in how to teach science.

I think that you will really enjoy this very practical and user friendly episode. It is filled with ideas for challenging your students to expand their understanding of the content through the use of foldable graphic organizers and interactive notebooks.

Lynda explains what foldable graphic organizers and interactive notebooks are and describes how to use them. She talks about why teachers should want to use them and how they can help the kids with retention. Lynda states, “The notebook gives the kids a chance to process an idea in writing…it is great for explaining and recording information visually and linguistically.” She notes that kids and students of all ages enjoy using the organizers and the notebook, even her adults in college.

Creating the notebooks is engaging and retention of content information is increased but there are other benefits. Lynda reflected, “ A couple of side benefits of using these resources is that the notebook makes an awesome study guide and the students have created a portfolio of their work.”

Lynda suggests that teachers who are experimenting with the organizers and notebooks should model frequently and keep their instructions clear.

Lynda has an amazing blog, posts on Twitter, has very helpful boards on Pinterest, and has a store at Teachers pay Teachers. See the links below. I hope that you will take the time to check out her many resources.

Lynda's Blog

Lynda's Twitter

Lynda's Teachers Pay Teachers Store

Lynda's Pinterest

Teaching Learning Leading K12/ Lynda's Guest Blog

Enjoy the Show!

Length 35:11