Have you ever had a student give you the right answer to a math problem—but struggle to show you how they got there?
Or maybe you’ve watched a student understand a strategy during your lesson, only to stare at the page when it’s time to work independently.
You ask, “What are you thinking?”
And they say:
“I don’t know.”
You know they understand more than they’re able to put on paper.
Sometimes students don’t need another explanation.
They need a place to start.
That’s why I created these Grade 2 & 3 math graphic organizers.
Give Students a Place to Show Their Thinking
Instead of staring at a blank page, students have a visual structure to help them organize their work.
They can:
- Draw a model
- Show their calculations
- Record numbers
- Choose a strategy
- Explain their thinking
- Compare representations
- Solve and show their work
The goal isn’t to make the math easier.
It’s to give students a little more structure for showing what they know.
What’s Included?
This resource includes 63 printable math graphic organizers designed for Grade 2 and Grade 3 skills.
You’ll find organizers for topics such as:
Number & Operations
- Place value
- 2-digit addition
- 3-digit addition
- 2-digit subtraction
- 3-digit subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Equal groups
- Tape diagrams
Fractions
- Understanding fractions
- Comparing fractions
- Representing fractions
- Fractions on a number line
Measurement & Geometry
- Length
- Weight
- Liquid volume
- Time
- Elapsed time
- Area
- Perimeter
Data & Money
- Money
- Graphs
- Line plots
And more!
A Simple Way to Get Students Showing Their Work
Sometimes the hardest part of a math assignment isn’t solving the problem.
It’s knowing how to begin.
A graphic organizer can give students that starting point.
For example, instead of simply asking a student to solve a multiplication problem, an organizer can prompt them to represent the problem, solve it, and explain their strategy.
For fractions, students can use visuals and numbers to show what they understand.
The organizer gives students a framework without telling them exactly how to solve the problem.
Use Them Where You Need Them
You don’t have to use these organizers in one specific way.
Print the pages you need and use them for:
- Small-group instruction
- Math intervention
- Independent practice
- Math centers
- Review
- Early finishers
- Tutoring
- Homework
- Sub plans
Need something for tomorrow’s small group?
Print an organizer.
Want another way for students to practice a skill?
Grab an organizer.
Need students to explain their strategy?
Choose an organizer that gives them a place to do it.
Help Students Make Their Thinking Visible
When students only record an answer, you may know what they got—but not always how they got there.
These organizers give students space to show more of their mathematical thinking.
They can draw.
They can write.
They can calculate.
They can represent.
They can explain.
And you get a better look at what they understand—and where they may need more support.
Print. Practice. Show the Thinking.
You don’t need to create another set of practice pages from scratch.
You don’t need to spend your evening designing graphic organizers.
You can simply print the pages you need and use them.
With 63 organizers covering a variety of Grade 2 & 3 math skills, you’ll have plenty of options to pull from throughout the year.
Ready to Give Your Students a Place to Start?
If your students sometimes know the math but struggle to show their thinking, these graphic organizers can give them the structure they need to get started.
63 printable math graphic organizers.
Use them for practice, intervention, small groups, review, and more.
Print it. Practice it. Show the thinking.
