A Frayer Model is a graphic organizer that helps students form concepts and learn new vocabulary by using four quadrants on a chart to define examples, non-examples, characteristics, and non-characteristics of a word or concept. (Frayer, 1969)
Use before or after reading to:
Essential characteristics
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Non-essential characteristics
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Examples
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Non-examples
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The content for this component of CCSSO’s Adolescent Literacy Toolkit was provided by Public Consulting Group’s Center for Resource Management, in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers (August 2007). The content was informed by feedback from CCSSO partners and state education officials who participate in CCSSO’s Secondary School Redesign Project. 35
Cross Content Sample
English Language Arts During and after reading a novel independently after class study of literary devices Have students identify the predominant literary device used in their novel, such as figurative language, symbols, or personification. On poster board, they should write the device in the center of a Frayer Model template and complete the four quadrants, leading to a definition of the literary device. Post the charts around the classroom to remind students of the literary devices that can be used when writing. |
Mathematics Before, during, and after reading the relatively easy first chapter on coordinates and directed line segments in the complex textbook for analytic geometry Initiate a class habit of creating Frayer Model examples of analytic geometry terms that can be duplicated and kept in the front of their math notebook, starting with the easier terms that were taught in earlier math courses. Have students work in small groups to create definitions of the key terms, such as real numbers, rational numbers, periodic decimals, line segments, and coordinates. Gradually have students become independent in creating Frayer Model definitions of essential course concepts. |
Science Before and after viewing a video about the properties and changes of properties in matter Before the video, use the Frayer Model strategy for one of the film’s concepts, telling students they will be creating a Frayer Model for a term or concept they do not fully understand during the video. After the video, have students work in pairs to create a Frayer Model for the term or concept each student found difficult. Have each pair exchange their Frayer Models with another pair and offer feedback and additional ideas. |
Social Studies Before, during, and after reading about and taking a self-assessment of personality styles in a psychology course Have each student create a Frayer Model about his/her personality style that was revealed in the self-assessment, working alone or with others of the same style, as they prefer. Then, group students with different styles together to share their Frayer Models and explain their differing traits and behaviors. |
The content for this component of CCSSO’s Adolescent Literacy Toolkit was provided by Public Consulting Group’s Center for Resource Management, in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers (August 2007). The content was informed by feedback from CCSSO partners and state education officials who participate in CCSSO’s Secondary School Redesign Project. 36 Literacy