The Frayer Model

Vocabulary is essential in all content areas; in fact, for math, science, and social studies, understanding of the content often hinges on essential terms or concepts. The Frayer model (developed by Frayer, Frederick, and Klausmeier in 1969) is an efficient, engaging way for students to make meaning of a difficult, complicated concept.
You don’t really have to even copy or make a graphic organizer for the students; they can do it themselves by taking a blank piece of paper and folding it in half and then half again, resulting in 4 blocks. At the center of the opened paper, where the blocks intersect, they should draw a circle or another box in which to write the term or concept.
The four blocks can be labeled with a variety of headings, depending on the term, the level of students, the needs of the unit. Here are a few options:
• Essential characteristics/nonessential characteristics/examples/nonexamples
• Definition/characteristics/examples/nonexamples
• Definition/sentence/I think . . ./non-verbal representation (a drawing)
• What others say/what I say/what it is/what it isn’t

It’s always a good idea to try out a new graphic organizer or note-taking organizer with an easy concept that requires little background information first so students can use the format before moving on to difficult content material. Once you are certain students understand the organizer itself, then move on to the material they are to read, view, listen to, or research and from which they will use to fill out their Frayer model notes.