Free SIM Matrix Graphic Organizers for Comprehension & WH Questions

Free printable SIM matrix graphic organizers for comprehension and WH questions.

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When it comes to supporting hyperlexic learners with comprehension, graphic organizers are an incredibly valuable tool because they play to their hyperlexic strengths. They also help break down and simplify tasks, as well as organize information.

The following graphic organizers are based on the Scaffolding Interrogatives Method (SIM), which, in recent research, has been shown to be an effective framework for supporting comprehension with hyperlexic readers. This method relies on using a chart or matrix to keep track of information while also translating WH questions into what statements (e.g., who = what person).

To help parents, teachers, and therapists quickly start using this method, I've put together some free printable SIM matrix graphic organizers. These templates will have you supporting your hyperlexic child's comprehension with a research-backed strategy in no time!

About the SIM Matrix Graphic Organizers

While you can certainly draw your own matrix when using the Scaffolding Interrogatives Method, sometimes having a printable template ready to go can be really useful, which is where these graphic organizers come in.

I've included a few variations of the matrix in this printable pack.

Two versions only allow up to five sentences, making them perfect for really short texts and introducing your child to the strategy.

The other two versions can be used for texts that are up to 10 sentences in length. Of course, you can always print additional pages based on your needs.

Additionally, two versions have five columns and cover four types of WH questions (who, what, where, and when), while the other two versions have 6 columns and cover five types of WH questions (who, what, where, when, and why). So feel free to pick the matrix that best fits your needs and the text you're working with.

How to Use these Graphic Organizers to Build Comprehension Skills

These graphic organizers can be used for any text or passage read at home or in the classroom. It works best with texts that are shorter in length (i.e., less than 10 sentences). Although you can certainly move to longer texts as your child gets more comfortable using the SIM strategy and the attached graphic organizers below.

Once you've chosen a text to examine, you will need to determine which version of the graphic organizer works best for your needs and the text that you're working with (e.g., if it has more than 5 sentences, use the one that goes up to 10 sentences).

Next, you'll need to number each sentence of the text or passage you will be reading.

Then you can start reading the text sentence by sentence while searching for: what person, what happened, what place, what time, and, if using one of the more complex matrices, what reason.

After reading the first sentence, you will fill in the corresponding columns of the matrix. If the sentence does not contain a specific detail, such as what time or place, then put an X in that spot. After all, not every sentence in a text will answer every question. Then repeat the process for the second sentence, then the third, and so on.

Once you've read the entire text, it's time to ask questions about the text to check for comprehension and understanding. The child can use the matrix to find the correct answers to the questions. You can see an example of what that would look like here.

Download the Free SIM Matrix Graphic Organizers

This graphic organizer printable pack is five pages total. Instructions are included as well as the four different versions discussed earlier (5 sentences with 4 types of WH questions, 10 sentences with 4 types of WH questions, 5 sentences with 5 types of WH questions, 10 sentences with 5 types of WH questions). Feel free to print the version that best suits your needs, based on the length of the text you're reading.

Once printed, you could laminate the matrix so it could be reused over and over again. At least, that would be my recommendation and is what I prefer to do with the graphic organizers we use at home with my hyperlexic son.

To get your copy of the SIM matrix graphic organizers, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Free Somebody Wanted But So Then Graphic Organizers

Help your child summarize stories with these somebody wanted but so then graphic organizers. You'll learn all about this reading comprehension and summarizing strategy below.

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It's no secret that hyperlexic kids need some extra support with comprehension. Especially as they enter the middle school years. Grade four in particular is a big challenge because task demands increase and reading for meaning becomes the priority. There's a shift to more novels and chapter books and having more background knowledge. That kind of thing.

So often our hyperlexic kids might need a bit of extra help with making inferences, summarizing a story, identifying the main idea, synthesizing important information, and so on...

One invaluable tool, though, for helping hyperlexic kids (not just with comprehension!) is to use visual supports, such as graphic organizers (see tip #1 here). 

We've been using graphic organizers with my son for a number of years with great success. We use them for writing, comprehension, brainstorming, organizing information, and a variety of other things. They have been a complete game-changer for my son.

For instance, we use these somebody wanted but so then graphic organizers to help with summarizing a text or story. It breaks everything down into 5 simple parts and can be used with a variety of texts.

Below you'll learn more about this particular comprehension strategy and see an example of how to use it. Then you can grab these graphic organizers and give them a try yourself. They're great for at home or school. So let's dig in! 

About the Somebody Wanted But So Then Strategy (SWBST)

Somebody Wanted But So Then (or SWBST for short) refers to a summarizing strategy that can be used to check a student or child's comprehension. It is often used after reading a story, but you could probably use it during reading as well. 

Basically, you summarize a story using the following set of prompts (the same prompts that make up the name of this strategy). They are:

• SOMEBODY: Who is the main character?

• WANTED: What did the main character want?

• BUT: What was the problem?

• SO: How did the main character try to solve the problem?

• THEN: How does the story end?

You can see where this reading comprehension strategy gets its name from, right? 

Anyway, what's great about this technique is that it helps kids break down the story into its different parts or story elements. They have to think about who the main character is, what the main idea of the story is, recognize cause and effect, and more. It's an important skill students need when it comes to summarizing.

Summarizing a story or novel is less daunting when you can break it down into smaller parts like this. Something that many hyperlexic kids find helpful. Then, once it's all broken down, you can easily give a brief summary of the plot or entire text in just a simple sentence or two.

Somebody Wanted But So Then Examples: Let's See this Key Comprehension Strategy in Action!

Now that you know what the strategy is, let's apply it to a familiar text or popular fiction story, such as the classic fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood. That way you can see how this summarizing strategy is used.

You'll quickly see how we can form a simple sentence summary when we use this technique. For instance, here's how we would break down this particular story:

• SOMEBODY: Little Red Riding Hood

• WANTED: To bring some treats to her grandma who was sick

• BUT: The wolf got to grandma's house first

• SO: The wolf pretended to be grandma

• THEN: (1) The wolf eats both the girl and her grandma. (2) A woodsman/axeman saves the girl and her grandma. or (3) The girl runs away. There may be some other variation depending on which version you're reading. 

Now that you've answered all the prompts above, you can easily write a plot summary. For this fairy tale that might look like...

Little Red Riding Hood wanted to bring some treats to her grandma who was sick, but a wolf got to grandma's house first and pretended to be Little Red Riding Hood's grandma. Then just when the wolf was going to eat Little Red Riding Hood and her grandma, a woodsman saves the day. Yay!

Did you notice how this summary strategy gives you a bit of a plug-and-play script for kids to fill in? All they have to do is fill in the blanks by identifying those few important story features. Then summarizing the story is fairly easy and straightforward to do.

Now that you have a better idea of how this strategy works, let's talk about the free graphic organizers.

About the Somebody Wanted But So Then Graphic Organizers

 Below you will find multiple variations of the somebody wanted but so then graphic organizers. Some are digital and perfect for Google Classroom. Others are printable and can be used at home or in the classroom. Some include lines to write a summary sentence after you've filled in all of the boxes and others do not.

If you're going to print off one of the graphic organizers, you might want to consider laminating it. That way you can reuse it as much as you want or need. Plus, it will save you some precious planning time because you can wipe it clean and save it for the next time it's needed. By the way, here's the laminator that I use and love.

Laminated or not, to use any of the graphic organizers, simply fill in the boxes with the appropriate information. For instance, in the somebody box, you'll identify who the main character is and write their name down. Then you'll think about what it is the character wanted and write it down in the wanted box. And so on.

Once you've filled in the boxes on the corresponding graphic organizer, you'll be able to summarize the story. You might summarize it into one big long sentence (if the story is shorter) or into one short paragraph (if the story is longer). Regardless, it makes summary writing a breeze because you've already identified all the important story features.

For the digital graphic organizer versions, text boxes are already inserted into the document. So you simply click one of the boxes and start typing. Easy, peasy!

Download the Free Graphic Organizers

This freebie includes 4 printable graphic organizers and 4 digital versions for Google Slides. Simply pick the version and format that suits your child best.

To get your copy of the somebody wanted but so then graphic organizers, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Free Ice Cream Cone Main Idea Graphic Organizer

Working on summarizing and comprehension skills? You need some main idea resources like this free ice cream cone main idea graphic organizer. You'll find both a free printable version and a digital version below.

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When it comes to helping hyperlexic kids with their comprehension, visual tools can make a big difference. Especially visual tools that incorporate the written word. After all, it's important to use the written word with these kids. If it isn't written down, it might not exist to them. Remember you want to play to their strength of reading.

That's why something like a graphic organizer can be particular effective with hyperlexic kids. It not only uses their strength, but it also gives them a visual representation of what it is they need to look for. So, in this case, ice cream, as you'll soon see.

Graphic organizers can also be used to help kids plan out and organize their thoughts so they know exactly what to say or write. Which if you have a hyperlexic kid, then you know that expressive language can also be an area that requires a lot of extra support.

I know that my son has found graphic organizers immensely helpful for both writing and comprehension skills so I have seen their value first hand. And we'll continue to use them as long as he needs.

Now one comprehension skill that can be tricky for hyperlexic kids is summarizing the main idea of a text. 

And that's where this ice cream cone main idea graphic organizer comes in. It can be used to pick out the main idea of a passage, as well as the supporting details.

About this Ice Cream Cone Main Idea Graphic Organizer

As I've already alluded to, this graphic organizer can be used to summarize the main idea of a paragraph or story. So it's great for building those comprehension skills that many hyperlexic kids need a bit of extra support with. Although, you could also use this organizer to write a paragraph if you'd like as well. But I have a hamburger graphic organizer for that instead.

Now, without a cone, an ice cream cone is just ice cream. And without the ice cream, you have just a cone. They can't be a full ice cream cone without each other. The same thing happens with a paragraph, text, or story. You need a main idea and some details to support that idea in order to make a rock solid piece of content.

So the cone on this graphic organizer represents the main topic or idea and each scoop of ice cream represents a supporting detail. Basically this graphic organizer will help you find all the necessary parts to make the perfect ice cream cone. That is, it will help you summarize all the details needed to understand and/or explain a given text.

Here's how it works. After reading a text or story, simply write down the main idea or topic of the paragraph in the box next to the cone. Then write a supporting detail for each scoop of ice cream. You might have to reread the text multiple times in order to determine what the main idea and supporting details are.

All-in-all, this graphic organizer is a helpful tool for improving comprehension skills.

By the way, I personally prefer to laminate our graphic organizers and pair them with a dry erase marker. That way we can reuse them over and over again and for as many main idea activities as we'd like. Here's the laminator I use and love. But you can also print as you need them or use the digital version included below. Lots of options!

Download the Free Graphic Organizer

This graphic organizer includes two versions: a printable version and a digital Google Slides version. You'll receive both versions when you download the PDF.

To get your copy of the ice cream cone main idea graphic organizer, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Free Printable Mario Themed Graphic Organizer for Writing

Here's a fun graphic organizer for writing that's inspired by Mario! Free printable and digital Google Slides versions available.

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Graphic organizers have been an invaluable tool to help my son with both his reading comprehension and his writing. 

I recently made this hamburger graphic organizer and I wondered if it was possible to take that format and structure and create other themed organizers for my son. Ones that might be even more interesting to him than a hamburger. 

I always try to include his interests in some way, if possible. It increases buy-in. And Mario is a current interest/passion of his.

So, after making the hamburger graphic organizer, it dawned on me that I could adapt the structure of a paragraph to the layout of a Mario level. After all, a Mario level needs supporting details too. Otherwise, it's just a boring piece of land to walk across. 

So if your kids love Mario like mine do, they're going to love this Mario themed graphic organizer for writing paragraphs.

About this Graphic Organizer for Writing

A level in Mario would be pretty boring without details like warp pipes, question blocks, and the flag at the end of the level. The same goes for writing paragraphs. A paragraph without details, isn't much of a paragraph. 

This graphic organizer is designed to help kids plan out and organize their thoughts into sentences and ideas before writing a paragraph by building a level for Mario. 

First, you fill in the topic sentence for the question block by asking yourself, "What is this paragraph about?" Then you add three supporting details, one for each of the different pipes. Then you need to finish the paragraph off by sliding down the flag at the end of the level.

Download the Free Mario Themed Writing Graphic Organizer

This printable includes two Mario themed graphic organizers for writing, one with lines and one without, that your child can fill in to plan out their paragraphs. A digital Google Slides version is included as well.

To get your copy, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Free Printable Hamburger Graphic Organizer for Paragraph Writing

Use this free hamburger graphic organizer to help kids with paragraph writing.

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Writing paragraphs is challenging for lots of kids, my son included. So we've been making use of graphic organizers to help him with his writing. Basically, I want it to be less stressful and anxiety-inducing for him. 

I really like using this hamburger graphic organizer for writing because it helps my son plan out his paragraphs before actually writing them. It helps break down the writing process into smaller, bite-sized pieces and helps him visualize what his paragraph should look like.

The idea is to make a nice juicy hamburger, loaded with toppings, instead of a boring bunwich with no "meat." As delicious as buns are, they're a bit boring on their own...

About the Hamburger Graphic Organizer

This graphic organizer is designed to help kids plan out and organize their thoughts before writing a paragraph. 

Hamburger paragraph writing follows the format of writing a paragraph with an opening sentence about the topic, supporting it with three details, and wrapping it up or closing the paragraph with a concluding sentence. 

Basically, they're building a hamburger where the buns are the opening and concluding sentence and the meat and toppings are the supporting details. 

The hamburger would be pretty boring with just the buns, right? Same idea goes for paragraphs. A well-written paragraph needs details to support the topic or argument. Essentially, it needs a bit of "meat."

So encourage kids to think about the "meat" of their paragraph ahead of time by writing it down on this blank hamburger graphic organizer and they'll be that much closer to writing a better paragraph.

Download the Free Hamburger Graphic Organizer Printable

This printable includes two hamburger graphic organizers, one with lines and one without, that your child can fill in. A digital Google Slides version is included as well.

To get your copy, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Free Printable 5 Senses Graphic Organizers

Free printable 5 senses graphic organizers for kids to work on describing and writing. Digital Google Slides versions are included too!

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Graphic organizers are incredibly helpful, especially for hyperlexic kids. I think, at this point, they're becoming the best tools for helping my son with writing and reading comprehension while we're home educating this year. So expect more and more of these types of printables on the blog in the coming months...

One area that graphic organizers are helping with is writing. We've been using graphic organizers to help stretch a sentence with great success. And now we're working on adding more details using our senses to describe the topic, which is where these 5 senses graphic organizers come in.

About the 5 Senses Graphic Organizer

This describing graphic organizer has a space to write the topic your child is writing about and 5 boxes to make a list of ways to describe that topic using the 5 senses: sight, taste, sound, touch, and smell.

How it works is your child writes down all the sensory related things that they can think of before writing a paragraph about the topic as a way to plan out all of their ideas. Then, as they write, they try to incorporate these sensory details into their sentences. It will help give their sentences more depth and interest.

Download the Free 5 Senses Graphic Organizers

This printable includes four describing graphic organizers (with two types of clipart), two with lines and two without, that your child can fill in. It also includes two digital Google Slides versions.

To get your copy, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Free Stretch a Sentence Poster & Graphic Organizers

Make stretching a sentence a breeze with this free printable poster and graphic organizer worksheets.

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Writing assignments have proven challenging for my son for a variety of reasons, but he has found using graphic organizers and breaking down the task into chunks helpful. 

He has also found the exercise of stretching a sentence particularly helpful because it helps him expand his thoughts and ideas into more detailed sentences and longer paragraphs.

While we use this exercise primarily for writing, it can certainly be helpful for speech and talking as well.

So how does this work? Let's find out!

How to Stretch a Sentence

Basically, you take an idea or thought the child has and use the 5 Ws to help expand the sentence into something longer and more detailed. You are essentially prompting them to ask themselves the 5 questions and write some kind of detail that answers each.

For example, the child wants to write about their dog Charlie. We have the who, but let's touch on the other WH questions to expand it further.

• Who? My dog Charlie.

• Doing what? My dog Charlie ran towards a tree.

• When? Yesterday, my dog Charlie ran towards a tree.

• Where? Yesterday, at the park, my dog Charlie ran towards a tree.

• Why? Yesterday, at the park, my dog Charlie ran towards a tree because he wanted to chase a squirrel.

You can see how the sentence now has a lot more depth and detail. It's more interesting and informative. 

It's a really easy and straightforward exercise, one that my son has found particularly helpful. I created this poster to hang up at his school/homework station so that he can remember to do this exercise on his own when writing. You can grab a copy of the printables below.

Download the Free Stretch a Sentence Poster & Graphic Organizers

This printable pack includes one stretch a sentence poster with an example. It also includes two stretch a sentence graphic organizer worksheets, one with lines and one without, that your child can fill in.

To get your copy of these resources, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

What is a KWL Chart and How Can it Help Hyperlexic Kids with their Comprehension?

What is a KWL chart and how can it help hyperlexic kids with their comprehension? Below you'll learn what the purpose of a KWL chart is. Free KWL chart printables included.

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The biggest challenge for a lot of hyperlexic learners is the comprehension piece. They often need a lot of support in this area. 

But what makes working on comprehension particularly challenging is that comprehension is made up of so many things. There are so many skills that you can be simultaneously working on, which might seem overwhelming. However, on the flip side, that means there are multiple different strategies and tools that you can use to work on comprehension.

Graphic organizers are just one tool that can be used, just like activating prior knowledge and schema is one strategy you can use. Now, a KWL chart is a great combination of the two.

But what is a KWL chart exactly? And how can it help hyperlexic kids with their comprehension? Well, that's what you'll learn below. Plus, I've included some free KWL graphic organizers that you can use with your hyperlexic child.

What is a KWL Chart?

A KWL chart is a graphic organizer that can be used to organize information. KWL stands for Know, Want to know, and Learn. It can be a great tool for activating schema or prior knowledge and for checking comprehension and understanding.

To make a KWL chart, you need to make three columns, one for each letter of the KWL acronym. But don't worry, I have some free printable KWL graphic organizers for you to download below. Some digital versions too.

How Does a KWL Chart Work?

Before reading, you encourage kids to make a list of things they already know about the topic, as well as anything they want to know about that topic. Then after reading, they can make a list of things they learned about the topic.

What is the Purpose of a KWL Chart?

You can use KWL charts to:

• Help kids organize information

• Activate schema and background knowledge (and thus, increase comprehension!)

• Recall knowledge

• Track learning

• Reveal whether or not there are gaps in understanding

• Get kids interested and engaged in a new topic

Why You Should Use KWL Charts with Hyperlexic Kids

If you're already familiar with how hyperlexic kids learn, then you know that it's important to support their language learning by using written language. You know they learn best visually. 

That's why using graphic organizers, such as KWL charts, can be extremely helpful for hyperlexic children. It plays to their strengths.

Besides, comprehension difficulties are common in hyperlexic kids. So one of the main reasons you want to use KWL charts with hyperlexic kids is to help activate that schema and background knowledge. Doing so can help boost their comprehension and understanding.

The first two columns of the KWL chart are designed to encourage hyperlexic kids to really think about what they know and make connections, if they can. It gets them thinking about the topic ahead of time and helps prime them for learning before reading the book.

The third column can reveal whether or not there are gaps in their comprehension. You can use it as a tool to check whether or not they understand the main points of the book.

Download the Free KWL Graphic Organizers {Printable & Digital Versions}

This freebie includes: 3 printable KWL charts without lines, 3 printable KWL charts with lines, and 3 different digital Google Slides versions. You get to pick which design and format best suits your needs.

To get your copy, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack