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My Favorite Vocabulary Tool for ALL Subjects: Frayer Model

Considering life we all face terminology that can be a challenge and needs further unpacking to understand more fully. Typically English teachers would give students a list of vocab words, ask that they define them and then use them in a sentence. This is all good but does not push the critical thinking the way the Frayer Model does.

The Frayer Model always includes a contrast of an example and non-example. Similar to art we look at both the positive and negative spaces of a canvas; with the Frayer model we are able to define terms and ideas with what it is and what it is not therefore proving that a student has a good grasp of the term.

This model can be used in ALL contents. The Center for Math and Science Teachers at LMU developed lots of examples of how it could look in a math class. (Link to check it out) In English it is fairly obvious. Here is an example of key terms centered around the concepts behind Rights of Passage.

Using a graphic organizer for students to build their vocabulary with helps students who are spatial. Here are a template that one can take and revise specific to the content. I have had the pleasure of using this tool in an interactive teacher training session where we co-created our group norms. This practice involved pairs working together on a slide for a norm we agreed was important for us to collectively embrace. In subsequent meetings I would reference these slides. Here is a link to check them out.

How can you envision using this tool? Please share!

Thanks for exploring.

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