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50 Activities For Developing Critical Thinking Skills - Kapable
Grades
4 to 12
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This article from Kapable provides a comprehensive collection of 50 practical activities designed to help develop and strengthen critical thinking skills through hands-on practice and...more
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This article from Kapable provides a comprehensive collection of 50 practical activities designed to help develop and strengthen critical thinking skills through hands-on practice and collaboration. It explains that critical thinking involves analyzing information, questioning assumptions, and considering multiple perspectives to make well-reasoned decisions. It emphasizes that activities such as debates, role-playing, puzzles, and problem-solving scenarios help learners build these skills in meaningful ways. The site highlights how these activities promote creativity, improve decision-making, and encourage adaptability by exposing learners to real-world challenges and diverse viewpoints, making it a useful resource for teachers looking to incorporate structured, interactive strategies to build students' analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
tag(s): collaboration (131), critical thinking (187), thinking routines (50)
In the Classroom
Set up stations with different types of challenges (logic puzzles, real-world scenarios, ethical dilemmas). Have students rotate through stations, collaborate, and explain their thinking process at each station. Have students identify a real-world problem (at the school, community, or global level) and create a solution plan. They must research, evaluate options, and present their reasoning using CER (claim, evidence, reasoning). Give students a topic connected to your ELA or social studies unit. In small groups, students can take different perspectives and support their claims with evidence.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Thinking Interdependently - VHS Resource Toolkit
Grades
6 to 12
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This page from the Vista High School Resource Toolkit explains the Habit of Mind: Thinking Interdependently, which focuses on helping students learn to work effectively with others...more
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This page from the Vista High School Resource Toolkit explains the Habit of Mind: Thinking Interdependently, which focuses on helping students learn to work effectively with others to solve problems and make decisions. The site describes thinking interdependently as the ability to communicate ideas, accept feedback, test solutions with others, and build understanding through collaboration. It also includes strategies and activities teachers can use to help students recognize when teamwork is needed and how sharing perspectives leads to stronger learning. Suggested classroom ideas include analyzing examples of collaboration, defining the characteristics of good teamwork, and using cooperative structures, such as jigsaw activities, to help students practice working together. This resource is useful for teachers looking to build social-emotional skills, collaboration, and Habits of Mind through group learning experiences.
tag(s): collaboration (131), perspective (33), social and emotional learning (202), thinking routines (50)
In the Classroom
Divide a lesson into sections and assign each student in a group a different part to become an expert on. Have students teach their section to their group members. Provide complex tasks (STEM challenges, reading discussions, or real-world problems) that require multiple perspectives. Assign roles (facilitator, recorder, reporter) so each student contributes and the group relies on everyone's input. Have students share writing, projects, or ideas with peers for feedback. Teach them how to offer constructive suggestions and ask clarifying questions, reinforcing that improvement often happens through collaboration.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Habits of Mind Animations: Thinking Interdependently - ASCD
Grades
2 to 8
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This short animated YouTube video, "Habits of Mind Animations: Thinking Interdependently," uses a simple and engaging story to show how working together can lead to better ideas and...more
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This short animated YouTube video, "Habits of Mind Animations: Thinking Interdependently," uses a simple and engaging story to show how working together can lead to better ideas and stronger problem-solving. The animation explains that thinking interdependently means listening to others, sharing ideas, and cooperating to reach solutions that would be harder to achieve alone. This video is useful for introducing collaboration skills, setting expectations for group work, and reinforcing social-emotional learning as students practice respectful discussion, teamwork, and helping one another succeed. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): collaboration (131), listening (119), problem solving (279), social and emotional learning (202), teaching strategies (77), thinking routines (50), thinking skills (130)
In the Classroom
Give students brief situations that require teamwork (for example, building something together, solving a problem, or working on a group project). Have students discuss with a partner how thinking interdependently would help in that situation. Have students sit in a circle and give a compliment to the person next to them about something they do well when working with others. Students can create a poster that shows what interdependent thinking looks, sounds, and feels like in the classroom. Posters can include examples such as listening, taking turns, helping others, and sharing ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Peer-to-Peer Education: What It Is, Benefits & How It Works - 21K School
Grades
K to 12
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This article from 21K School, "Peer-to-Peer Education: A Collaborative Learning Approach," explains how students can learn more effectively by teaching and collaborating rather than...more
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This article from 21K School, "Peer-to-Peer Education: A Collaborative Learning Approach," explains how students can learn more effectively by teaching and collaborating rather than relying solely on teacher-led instruction. The post describes peer-to-peer education as a collaborative learning method where students share ideas, discuss topics, and help one another understand concepts through activities such as debates, group discussions, feedback, and teamwork. The article highlights benefits such as improved confidence, stronger communication skills, better social interaction, and a deeper understanding, and offers suggestions on how teachers can create a positive classroom environment that encourages cooperation and shared learning.
tag(s): classroom management (143), collaboration (131), communication (126), feedback (16), listening (119), teaching strategies (77), thinking routines (50)
In the Classroom
After a mini-lesson, have students turn to a partner and explain the concept in their own words. Each partner listens and adds anything their partner missed. Set up stations where students work in pairs or small groups to practice skills such as reading, math problems, vocabulary, or science concepts. Have students take turns being the teacher and the learner. Give each group a task that requires teamwork, such as solving a complex question, completing a research activity, or creating a project. Students should discuss ideas and agree on a solution together, strengthening collaboration and critical thinking.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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16 Variations on Think-Pair-Share to Keep Students Engaged - Edutopia
Grades
K to 12
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This Edutopia article, "16 Variations on Think-Pair-Share to Keep Students Engaged," shares creative ways to update the classic Think-Pair-Share strategy to keep students engaged and...more
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This Edutopia article, "16 Variations on Think-Pair-Share to Keep Students Engaged," shares creative ways to update the classic Think-Pair-Share strategy to keep students engaged and actively involved in learning. The article explains how educators can expand the simple routine of thinking individually, discussing with a partner, and sharing with the class by incorporating variations such as drawing, rotating partners, collaborative writing, and small-group sharing. These strategies help increase participation, strengthen communication skills, deepen understanding, and give all students a chance to express their ideas across subject areas and grade levels.
tag(s): collaboration (131), communication (126), teaching strategies (77), thinking routines (50)
In the Classroom
Ask students a question about the lesson and have them first draw their idea rather than write it. Students can then explain their drawing to a partner before sharing with the class. Have students stand up, find a partner, and discuss a question or problem. After sharing, they find a new partner for the next question. Have students first talk with a partner, then join another pair to form a group of four, and finally share with the whole class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Big and Small Strategies to Harness the Power of Peer-to-Peer Teaching - Edutopia
Grades
3 to 12
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This Edutopia article, "Big and Small Strategies to Harness the Power of Peer-to-Peer Teaching," explains how students can improve their understanding and retention by teaching one...more
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This Edutopia article, "Big and Small Strategies to Harness the Power of Peer-to-Peer Teaching," explains how students can improve their understanding and retention by teaching one another. The article describes simple and structured strategies such as Think-Pair-Share, jigsaw groups, and peer tutoring, all based on the idea that students learn more deeply when they explain ideas to classmates. It offers practical classroom ideas for use in any subject and grade level to increase participation, collaboration, and confidence while building a supportive learning community.
tag(s): collaboration (131), professional development (322), teaching strategies (77), thinking routines (50)
In the Classroom
Ask a question about the current lesson, have students think quietly, discuss with a partner, and finally share with the class. After a short mini-lesson, have students turn to a partner and explain the concept in their own words. The partner listens and then adds anything missed. Divide a topic into sections and assign each group one part to learn. Students become experts on their section and then teach it to a new group.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Choice Board Templates - Canva
Grades
K to 12
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This large assortment of choice board templates includes many free and customizable options within Canva for Education, reviewed here Choose from...more
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This large assortment of choice board templates includes many free and customizable options within Canva for Education, reviewed here Choose from a variety of styles and content options. After selecting a template, use Canva's editing tools to personalize colors, text, images, and more. Share templates digitally with your personalized link, or download as an image or PDF.
tag(s): differentiation (102), multimedia (63), presentations (43), student-centered (10)
In the Classroom
Make sure to create a free teacher's account in Canva; this gives you access to many of the paid PRO account features. Use choice boards during independent work rotations or end-of-unit projects. Create multiple versions of choice boards using the templates to accommodate diverse learners and learning styles in your classroom while still providing instruction that meets learning objectives for all students. Include a variety of activities in choice boards that engage students in learning, such as games, simulations, videos, and opportunities to share their learning by creating multimedia presentations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Back to School Icebreakers Activities - Nearpod
Grades
K to 12
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This Nearpod blog post provides a collection of ready-to-use, interactive activities designed to help teachers build a positive classroom community during the first week of school....more
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This Nearpod blog post provides a collection of ready-to-use, interactive activities designed to help teachers build a positive classroom community during the first week of school. The article features icebreakers, getting-to-know-you lessons, collaborative discussions, reflection prompts, and engaging digital activities that introduce students to classroom routines while encouraging participation and relationship-building. It also highlights Nearpod's interactive tools, such as Collaborate Board, Draw It, Time to Climb, polls, and ready-made lessons, making it easy for teachers to create an engaging and welcoming learning environment from day one. Many of the featured resources are available as editable or ready-to-launch lessons for use in live or student-paced instruction.
tag(s): classroom management (143), collaboration (131), firstday (27)
In the Classroom
Use Nearpod's Collaborate Board for students to post fun facts, summer memories, reading interests, or personal goals. Encourage classmates to respond to one another to help build connections from the first day of school. Launch a collaborative Nearpod lesson where students brainstorm classroom norms using polls, open-ended questions, and Draw It activities. Turn the class's ideas into a shared digital classroom agreement. Reinforce routines such as technology expectations, transitions, or classroom rules by creating a Time to Climb quiz. Find more ideas for classroom learning activities at Nearpod, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Using Humor in the Art Room - The Art of Education University
Grades
4 to 12
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This podcast episode from The Art of Education University discusses how teachers can use humor in the classroom to build relationships, increase engagement, and create a safe learning...more
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This podcast episode from The Art of Education University discusses how teachers can use humor in the classroom to build relationships, increase engagement, and create a safe learning environment, especially in the art room. The speaker explains that humor can help students feel comfortable and more willing to take risks. Still, teachers should be thoughtful about how they use jokes, sarcasm, and playful comments, as students may interpret them differently. The episode shares examples such as intentionally making mistakes during demonstrations, using lighthearted comments to keep students engaged, and choosing humor that supports learning rather than embarrassing students. Overall, the message encourages teachers to use humor intentionally to make class enjoyable while maintaining a respectful, supportive atmosphere.
tag(s): classroom management (143), humor (20), podcasts (169), teaching strategies (77)
In the Classroom
Start a lesson by intentionally making a funny mistake during a demonstration, such as using the wrong color, holding a tool incorrectly, or pretending to forget a step. Ask students to catch the mistake and explain how to do it correctly. Use lighthearted class discussions about appropriate humor, asking students when jokes are helpful and when they might hurt someone's feelings. Try a teacher-student improv activity where students quickly add a funny detail to a drawing, story, or idea the teacher starts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Why Can't Teachers Be Funny in School? - Trainers Warehouse
Grades
3 to 8
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This blog post from Trainers Warehouse explains how using classroom humor can make learning more engaging, memorable, and enjoyable for students. The article encourages teachers to...more
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This blog post from Trainers Warehouse explains how using classroom humor can make learning more engaging, memorable, and enjoyable for students. The article encourages teachers to include funny activities, jokes, games, and playful routines to help students relax, participate more, and feel comfortable taking risks while learning. Suggestions include using silly introductions, humorous writing activities, improv games, movement breaks, funny prompts, and lighthearted classroom challenges to keep energy high and attention focused. The post also notes that laughter can reduce stress, improve mood, strengthen relationships, and help students remember what they learn, making humor a powerful tool for building a positive classroom environment.
tag(s): blogs (82), classroom management (143), humor (20), teaching strategies (77)
In the Classroom
Use content-based humor activities like Mad Libs, limericks, or funny captions related to the topic you are teaching. For example, students can fill in missing words in a paragraph about the lesson or write a humorous rhyme using vocabulary terms. Begin a lesson with a funny introduction activity, such as having students introduce themselves using emojis, memes, or silly voices. Incorporate movement-based humor activities like funny walks, freeze poses, or short dance breaks.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How to Easily Infuse More Humor into Your Classroom - Beginning Teacher Talk with Dr. Lori Friesen
Grades
K to 8
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This video explains how teachers can use humor to create a positive, engaging classroom environment and build stronger relationships with students. The speaker shares practical ideas,...more
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This video explains how teachers can use humor to create a positive, engaging classroom environment and build stronger relationships with students. The speaker shares practical ideas, such as telling jokes, using funny voices, adding silly props, creating playful routines, taking brain breaks, and leaving surprise notes, to help students feel relaxed and connected. The video emphasizes that humor helps students feel safe, increases engagement, and improves classroom management by making them more willing to participate in a fun, supportive atmosphere. Teachers are encouraged to try small strategies that match their personality and gradually add more lighthearted moments to make learning enjoyable. This video is hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable at school.
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tag(s): classroom management (143), humor (20), teaching strategies (77)
In the Classroom
Start the day with a joke or a funny daily announcement to create a positive classroom mood. Use silly writing prompts or creative challenges connected to your lesson. For example, ask students to write a story funnily using vocabulary words, such as "What would happen if a dinosaur became the principal?" Create a class mascot, puppet, or character that gives directions, asks questions, or leaves notes for students. The mascot can review content, introduce lessons, or offer hints, making learning more memorable and increasing student engagement.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Create Credibility Detectives in Your Classroom - AVID
Grades
4 to 10
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This AVID Open Access article, "Create Credibility Detectives in Your Classroom," provides teachers with strategies to help students evaluate the reliability of online information and...more
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This AVID Open Access article, "Create Credibility Detectives in Your Classroom," provides teachers with strategies to help students evaluate the reliability of online information and become critical thinkers as they research. The lesson introduces the ABCs of credibility (Author, Bias, and Content) as a simple framework that students can use to decide whether a source is trustworthy. The resource explains how to look beyond appearance, check who created the information, identify potential bias, and verify facts with other sources. Designed as a short, professional-learning-style lesson, use it in ELA, social studies, science, or library classes to build digital literacy, research skills, and responsible use of information.
tag(s): digital literacy (38), evaluating sources (52), Research (90)
In the Classroom
Give students a short research question. Before using any information, they can evaluate their source using Author, Bias, and Content, and write one or two sentences explaining why the source is trustworthy. Have students design a badge or poster using Adobe Creative Cloud Express, reviewed here showing the rules for being a credibility detective. Students can act as "credibility detectives" and examine a website or article using the ABCs strategy. They can identify the author, assess potential bias, and verify the content for factual accuracy before deciding the trustworthiness of a source.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Evaluating Credibility of Sources - Creator Unknown
Grades
4 to 8
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This Google Doc titled "Beginner & Intermediate 5: Evaluating Credibility of Sources" is a student activity guide focused on helping learners understand how to decide whether information...more
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This Google Doc titled "Beginner & Intermediate 5: Evaluating Credibility of Sources" is a student activity guide focused on helping learners understand how to decide whether information is trustworthy and useful for research. The document centers on the guiding question "How do I evaluate the credibility of sources and determine which ones to use for a specific task?" It encourages students to examine authorship, accuracy, purpose, and relevance when selecting sources. This document supports information literacy instruction by giving students practice in analyzing different sources and thinking critically about reliability before using information in a project or assignment.
tag(s): digital literacy (38), evaluating sources (52), media literacy (130), Research (90)
In the Classroom
Give students two sources about the same topic, one strong and one weak. Students can use the lesson questions to compare the sources and decide which one is more credible. Have students design a poster using DesignCap Poster Creator, reviewed here showing rules for choosing good sources. Have students use the lesson's evaluation criteria to create or complete a checklist for evaluating sources. They can apply the checklist to a new article or website to determine if it is reliable and appropriate for research.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TickTick - TickTick Team
Grades
7 to 12
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TickTick is an organization and planning tool with several features to help develop and maintain positive lifestyle habits. Use TickTick to create multiple lists to categorize different...more
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TickTick is an organization and planning tool with several features to help develop and maintain positive lifestyle habits. Use TickTick to create multiple lists to categorize different subjects or extracurricular activities. Within each list, the free version supports adding up to 99 tasks, including subtasks, priority levels, and descriptions. Another useful component is the integrated Pomodoro timer, which helps focus on specific tasks for set intervals. The platform also includes a habit tracker to build consistent routines and a basic note-taking feature for quick thoughts.
tag(s): calendars (36), DAT device agnostic tool (132), organizational skills (91)
In the Classroom
In addition to using TickTick for your personal and professional use, share this site with students to use to organize their busy schedules. Demonstrate how to manage long-term projects using the list and subtask features to break down a complex research paper into manageable steps, such as finding three sources or writing the introductory paragraph. Encourage students to use the Pomodoro timer during independent study blocks to stay focused and track how much time they dedicate to specific subjects. To extend learning, students can use Blogger, reviewed here to reflect on their productivity habits or share time-management tips with their peers. For visual learners, suggest that students take their project deadlines from the platform and create a visual representation of their progress using Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here. This combination helps students move from simply listing tasks to actively analyzing and visualizing their academic workflow.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Quillbot - Learneo
Grades
4 to 12
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QuillBot is a writing platform that uses AI to help students and teachers refine their writing using tools organized into categories such as writing, creation, file converters, and...more
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QuillBot is a writing platform that uses AI to help students and teachers refine their writing using tools organized into categories such as writing, creation, file converters, and more. Most tools are available in several different languages. The free version offers a paraphraser with a 125-word limit, two writing modes, Standard and Fluency, and a basic synonym slider to adjust how much the vocabulary changes. It also includes a grammar checker that identifies spelling and punctuation errors, a summarizer with a 1,200-word capacity, and a citation generator for various academic styles. Many tools require registration to use them. Visit the pricing page to verify what the free plan includes. QuillBot offers extensions for major browsers and apps across all major platforms, including Apple and Android.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (339), chat (41), DAT device agnostic tool (132), editing (95), grammar (140), images (271), summarizing (26), writing (309)
In the Classroom
Include this tool to engage students in a vocabulary-expansion workshop. Start by having students paste a simple or repetitive paragraph into the paraphraser to see how changing modes or sliding the synonym bar transforms the tone and complexity of their work. This activity provides immediate, visual feedback on how word choice impacts a reader's perspective. To extend the lesson, have students take their favorite AI-generated variations and organize them into a structured debate regarding which version is the most persuasive using Kialo Edu, reviewed here. Extend learning by having students use their refined text to create a high-quality audio recording of their revised arguments using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here, demonstrating their ability to adapt writing for different audiences and professional formats.
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Iditarod Education Portal - Iditarod Trail Committee
Grades
3 to 12
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This section of the official Iditarod site offers free educational resources focused on the famous Alaskan sled dog race for students in grades 3-12. Explore a variety of lesson plans...more
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This section of the official Iditarod site offers free educational resources focused on the famous Alaskan sled dog race for students in grades 3-12. Explore a variety of lesson plans and activities that cover core subjects like math, science, social studies, and language arts through the lens of the Last Great Race on Earth. Additional features include a virtual museum, engaging articles written by K9 journalists, and a dedicated section for Teacher on the Trail updates that bring real-time race events into the classroom. Also available are printable worksheets, reading lists, and interactive tracking tools that allow students to follow individual mushers and their dog teams across the tundra. Make sure to check out the IditaRead program, which encourages students to reach their own reading goals by moving an avatar along checkpoints in the race.
In the Classroom
Bring the excitement of the Iditarod to life by having students participate in a cross-curricular simulation where they adopt a musher and track their progress using the site's live GPS maps. Enhance the experience by having students use Google Sheets, reviewed here, to record daily statistics such as miles traveled, weather conditions at checkpoints, and average speeds to create comparison graphs. For a language arts connection, ask students to write daily journal entries from the perspective of their musher or a sled dog, then compile these narratives into a digital book using Book Creator, reviewed here. Students can even record audio reflections or trail reports to embed within their digital books, allowing them to share their understanding of the physical and mental challenges faced during the race.
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Google Fonts - Google
Grades
K to 12
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Google Fonts is a free online library that allows teachers and students to browse, preview, and download hundreds of open-source fonts for use in documents, presentations, websites,...more
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Google Fonts is a free online library that allows teachers and students to browse, preview, and download hundreds of open-source fonts for use in documents, presentations, websites, and creative projects. The site makes it easy to search for fonts by style, language, or popularity, and users can use all fonts for free for school projects, print materials, or digital work. Because the fonts are free and easy to use, the site helps improve the design of slides, posters, reports, and multimedia projects while also introducing students to basic ideas about typography and visual communication.
tag(s): multilingual (84), presentations (43), Teacher Utilities (223)
In the Classroom
Give students words such as scary, funny, serious, or exciting. Students can choose fonts that match each mood and create a title using that font. Discuss how the look of the letters changes how the message feels, connecting to tone and the author's purpose. Have students take an old slide presentation or report and improve it by selecting better fonts for titles, headings, and body text. Teach students that font style can change meaning just like word choice. Have students create the same sentence in different fonts to convey different feelings or purposes, then share and discuss how the design affects understanding.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Adobe Express Slow Motion Video - Adobe
Grades
K to 12
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The Adobe Express slow-motion video tool allows teachers and students to easily change the speed of a video clip online without needing advanced editing software. Users can upload a...more
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The Adobe Express slow-motion video tool allows teachers and students to easily change the speed of a video clip online without needing advanced editing software. Users can upload a video, choose from different speed settings to slow down or speed up the clip, preview the changes, and download the finished video for sharing or further editing. This feature is part of the free Adobe Express video editor, which also includes options to trim clips, mute audio, and apply additional effects, making it useful for creating presentations, demonstrations, and student projects.
tag(s): creating media (17), digital storytelling (172), editing (95), stories and storytelling (78)
In the Classroom
Have students record short videos of fast actions, such as dropping a ball, snapping their fingers, or pouring water, and then use the slow-motion tool to analyze what really happens. They can write observations explaining what they notice in slow motion that they could not see at normal speed. Students can record themselves acting out a scene from a story or reading dialogue, then slow down parts to practice expression, pacing, and pronunciation. In PE, health, or science, students can record movements such as throwing, jumping, or balancing. Using slow motion, they study body position and explain how motion, force, or balance works.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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Buffer - Buffer
Grades
K to 12
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Buffer is a social media management platform that simplifies planning and sharing content across multiple networks. The free version allows you to connect up to three social media channels,...more
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Buffer is a social media management platform that simplifies planning and sharing content across multiple networks. The free version allows you to connect up to three social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn, and maintain a queue of ten scheduled posts per channel at any given time by clicking the Manage Channels button at the bottom of the dashboard and authorizing each platform. Navigate to the Posting Schedule under each channel's settings to designate specific days and times for your updates to go live automatically.
tag(s): communication (126), social media (63)
In the Classroom
Use Buffer as a time-saving resource to maintain a professional, consistent social media presence for a classroom or school organization without having to post manually throughout the day. Teachers can dedicate a single planning block to batch-scheduling a week's worth of reminders, student shout-outs, and curriculum updates, ensuring parents and the community stay informed. To create visuals for these updates, design custom graphics or short promotional clips using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here. Once these visuals are ready, users can upload them to Buffer with captions that link back to a more detailed classroom site created with Google Sites, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Frayer Model - A Tool to Explain Concepts - Byrdseed, LLC
Grades
K to 12
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Frayer Models are popular teaching tools. This article explains how to use Frayer Models to go beyond defining vocabulary and terms and to use them as a powerful method for ...more
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Frayer Models are popular teaching tools. This article explains how to use Frayer Models to go beyond defining vocabulary and terms and to use them as a powerful method for fully explaining concepts. The author shares a brief history of the introduction of Frayer Models, a video explanation of the concept, and many fully developed examples of how to explain concepts in depth using the four components of the Frayer Model. You can also download a free, ready-to-use PDF organizer template to get started in your classroom immediately.
tag(s): graphic organizers (57), professional development (322), thinking skills (130), visual thinking (16), vocabulary (252), vocabulary development (102)
In the Classroom
After spending time learning how to use Frayer Models to develop larger concepts, use this model to introduce big idea vocabulary or complex themes at the start of a new unit. Instead of a standard worksheet, have students collaborate on a digital version of the organizer. After exploring the characteristics of a concept on the site, students can build an interactive infographic using Genially reviewed here to visualize their definitions and examples with embedded media. For a math or science lesson, students could analyze a concept like polygons or mammals and then create a digital concept map in MindMup reviewed here to show how different subtopics branch off from the core definition. To wrap up the activity, have the class vote on the best non-examples provided by their peers to ensure everyone truly understands the term's boundaries.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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