Character Map Graphic Organizer

I purchased this graphic organizer from Teachers Pay Teachers to support our The Great Gatsby unit. I have two classes with students who have IEPs and 504 plans, and after speaking with several students, they indicated that a graphic organizer would be helpful.

The character map not only helps students visually organize characters, settings, and key details from the novel, but also reduces cognitive load and provides scaffolded support that builds analytical confidence. As their confidence increases, students can work toward more independent analysis.

Book Review Planning Worksheet

During my advanced clinical observations, I had the opportunity to work with several students to help them write editorial essays on the American Dream. As I helped students, I noticed they all had one thing in common — they struggled to start their essays. To support students who struggle with writing literacy, I created a book review planning worksheet.

The worksheet provides sentence starters and structured prompts that reduce cognitive load and provide guided language support, especially for struggling students. This allows students to focus on organizing their ideas, fostering student engagement and increasing confidence.