Creating Anchor Charts with Students

What they are:

•Large charts based on classroom discussions that are created with students during the learning

•Different formats: webs, brainstorms, KWL, Venn Diagrams, lists, T charts, timelines, story maps, 3 column charts, drawings

Why we make them:

• Just like an anchor keeps a boat in place, they are a way of “holding” or “anchoring” thinking for students• Makes student thinking visible and concrete• They serve as a visual reminder or artifact of the learning that helps students remember a lesson, strategy, or concept• They remain in the classroom for students who need continuous reminders or scaffolding – they don’t get erased like a chalkboard or whiteboard• They allow students to make connections from one strategy to another, clarify a point, or build on earlier learning• They show students that their thinking matters

How to make them:

• Anchor charts are always co-constructed with the students• Capture student thinking precisely – use their own language instead of trying to “fix up” their thinking to mirror your own• Keep the chart focused on one particular strategy or concept• Make charts that are clear and organized so students can understand them – graphic organizers work well • Charts are tied to a learning goal, objective, or concept• Use language appropriate to the developmental level of your students• Get ideas from commercially-made concept posters, and then build a class discussion to replicate the poster using your students’ own language and ideas about the concept

Lists

3 Column Charts

Drawings

Strategies

Word Lists

T Charts

Reading Tips

Expectations

Procedures

Genre Features

Questioning

Descriptions

Reading Reminders

Inferring

Comparing with a Venn