Concrete Models

1. Concrete Models Concrete Models (graphic organisers) provide a visual method of organising and summarising information. They help the student to organise disjointed information in a structured way.They facilitate the generation and development of ideas, expedite the construction of knowledge and aid the learning process. They provide active involvement to engage the kinaesthetic learner. They work best when used by small groups (pairs and triads). They are particularly powerful when groups are structured so that (i) each member has a leadership role/function e.g. Recorder, Researcher, Timekeeper, Clarifier, Turntaker (ensuring all group members participate), Summariser, Reporter. (ii) resources are shared in the group i.e. one worksheet per group. They provide a high quality teaching and learning methodology for the mixed ability classroom i.e. students with diverse abilities can work together where each student can make a real contribution to the overall learning of the group. They accommodate the needs of students with differing learning styles and intelligences.

2. Using Concrete Models Concrete Models (Graphic Organisers) may be used at all stages of the learning process. • Pre-teaching a topic • Introducing to a topic • Teaching a topic • Assessment for Learning • Scaffolding Learning • Independent Learning • Study • Revision

3. Contents of Pack • Cross Classification Chart • Two Venn Diagram • Three Venn Diagram • Four Corner Organiser • Starburst • Tri Pie • Research Grid • Ranking Ladder • Step • Chain of Events • Sequence Charts • Funnel • Fishbone • Braindrops

4. Step Ladder text here text here text here text here text here text here When a topic involves prioritising or establishing stages, with a definite beginning and end.

5. Stair Steps text here text here text here text here text here text here text here text here text here text here When a topic involves plotting a course or a step by step processing

6. Chain of Linked Events text here text here text here text here text here text here text here text here text here Starting Idea When a topic involves a series of interlinked events.

7. Sequence Chart text here text here text here text here text here text here text here text here text here When a topic involves a sequence of events or a series of causes.

8. Funnel text here text here text here text here text here text here When a topic involves synthesising ideas, drawing conclusions, reducing a lot of information to its core e.g. creating a definition.

9. Fish Bone When summarising a topic or when investigating multiple cause and effects or when collating factors associated with a complex topic and how they interrelate.

10. text Brain Drops text text text text text text text text text text Whencreating ideas.

11. Cross Classification Chart Criteria Topic text text text text text When condensing and organising comparative data according to various criteria

12. Venn Diagram (2 Circles) When examining the similarities and differences between two items

13. Venn Diagram (3 Circles) When examining the similarities and differences between three items.

14. Venn Diagram (3 Circles)

15. Four Corner Organiser When characteristics of four related concepts/topics/people are being explored

16. The Tri Pie Pro Con Grey Area When expanding thinking to examine all aspects of a problem/issue

17. Starburst (all points covered) When establishing and remembering points relating to a topic

18. Research Grid For independent learning: questions are written and students research and write answers