10 Pictographic Organizers for Historical Thinking Skills (Help Yourself to the .PNG Files)

by Matt Doran

According to dual coding theory, knowledge is stored in both linguistic and non-linguistic (imagery) forms. Pictographic organizers combine the linguistic and non-linguistic modes. They use words, phrases, and sentences along with pictures and symbols to show relationships.

The pictographic organizers below provide visual note-taking tools to sharpen historical thinking skills.  It is important to note that graphic organizers are only a tool, and must be coupled with inquiry-based pedagogy to maximize effectiveness.  Students should be actively engaged in collecting and organizing information in graphic organizers and processing the information from graphic organizers in a variety of ways. 

Note: Click on the images to download the .png files.  The files are designed in 4:3 format for easy integration into presentation software and apps. 

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Classify Information (e.g., social, political, economic factors; types of government)

Buckets Categories

Analyze Cause and Effect Relationships

Bowling Effects

Fishbone Causes

Evaluate Alternative Courses of Action

Decision Tree

Compare Perspectives in Historical Sources

H-Diagram

Determine Central Ideas and Supporting Details 

Central Ideas Spider Map

Make Claims and Counterclaims

Claim-Counterclaim Armwrestling

Support Claims with Evidence and Reasoning

Claim Stool

Weigh Arguments For and Against a Position

Arguments Scale

Write Persuasive Essays
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