Frayer Model

Research Connection:
The Frayer Model is a visual organizer that contains four sections to help to illustrate deeper
understanding of concepts by differentiating essential characteristics and examples from non-essential
characteristics and examples. Havens, Lynn T., and Bonnie J. Valdes. "Frayer Model."Project CRISS. By Carol M. Santa,
PhD. Third ed. Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt, 2004. 209-211. Print. It was developed by Frayer, Federick and Klausmeirer in 1969.

Step by step:
Step 1: Review the purpose of the Frayer Model with the students, then ask the students to fold a
piece of paper into four sections. Label each section with the four categories: Essential
Characteristics, Examples; Non-Essential Characteristics, Non-Examples. (See next page, first
example.) In another version, you could label the sections as Definition, Picture or
Characteristics, then Examples and Non-examples. (See second example)
Step 2: Introduce the concept to be discussed and have the students write it in the center of the
Frayer Model.
Step 3: Have the students work in pairs or small groups to generate examples and non-examples
only.
Step 4: Create a class list of these examples and non-examples. (Students may add to their list
when other ideas are listed as the examples are compiled.)
Step 5: From the class list, have the students generate a list of common features (essential
characteristics) that these examples share. Do the same for the non-examples. (Make sure they
illustrate the original concept.) Write these on the Frayer Model.
Step 6: Ask students to read or listen for new information about the concept and record it on the
model.
Step 7: After students have completed the reading, go back to the original model and ask them to
confirm or reject information previously generated as a class. Check for misconceptions and shift
items to different sections of the model. Students will find that some of their essential features
may be more appropriate for the non-essential category.

The first example is from Project CRISS. Students discussed what they knew about Progressivism and
filled in the Frayer model prior to their reading assignment. As a pre-reading activity, the teacher guided
students in setting goals for their reading and provided them with a way to organize their notes and check
for understanding of a key concept. The second example is from our presentation during in-service.




Essential Characteristic Non-Essential Characteristic

Change Social Reform
Economic Reform
Reform Trade
Environmental
Progress Political Change
National Debt





Examples Non-examples

Pure Food and Drug Act Spanish-American War
Federal Reserve Act Plessy v. Ferguson
Interstate Commerce Act
Womens Suffrage
Graduated Income Tax
Sherman Antitrust Act
National Parks
Civil Service Commision











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Progressivism