Frayer models offer a window into students’ science capital

Teachers have long used Frayer models to support students with vocabulary acquisition and understanding to help them delve into the deeper meaning of the word or phrase. However, this literacy framework has a much broader scope when you tune the focus to the desired outcome – for instance, organising students’ ideas around a chemistry concept. Here, structuring the four sections as explore, break down, explain and consolidate allows us to access, and assess, a student’s understanding at various points. Read this article to discover how Frayer models not only provide an insight into the conceptions a student may hold but also offer a window into their science capital.