Frayer Model

Using a blank Frayer model, I created a handout with a large Frayer on the front and four mini-Frayers (Frayer-ettes?) on the back. Using five literary terms (atmosphere, soliloquy, foil, motif, and tragedy), students worked in groups to define, explain, give examples and non-examples of the terms. The groups then shared aloud so that the other students could fill in the mini-Frayers and have a complete set of terms.

As the person who filled out all five Frayers for my master copy, I discovered that the non-example box was the most difficult to fill out, especially for terms like atmosphere, because our brains aren't used to defining a word by explaining what it is not. I believe that the students found this exercise to be something different, so their response was positive and everyone worked hard for the entire period. By working in groups, students were all prepared with answers on their charts, so I was able to call on any individual in the group for an acceptable response, which kept the activity moving along--we made lots of progress!

It was a good day. I felt that I gave students their money's worth, yet they did most of the work during class, and I know that they learned. Yipee!