This paper briefly sets out the rationale for the use of action research as a culminating assessment task in an undergraduate ten week internship. Graphic organisers can be effective tools for enhancing thinking and promoting meaningful student learning. But can they be used effectively in an early childhood classroom and by a teacher intern? The major part of the paper is devoted to a report of a classroom-based action research project. The results provided evidence for improved outcomes in early childhood students' writing performance and undergraduate teaching competence.