Social Studies Processing Strategies

Concept Development - Frayers Four Square

What?

How?

The Frayers Four Square Model is an instructional strategy to categorize concepts and words. When
students use the Frayer model, they analyze the essential and nonessential attributes of a concept or
word, and also refine their understanding by choosing examples and non examples of the concept or
word.
Assign the concept or word to be studied.
Explain all of the attributes of the Frayer model (a graphic organizer) to
be completed.
Use an easy word or concept and complete the graphic organizer with
the entire class.
Have students work in pairs and complete their graphic organizer of the
Frayer model using the assigned concept or word.
Have students share their work with other students. Post these
completed graphic organizers so that students can refer to the concepts
or words being studied in the unit.
Add additional concepts or words as needed.

Definition

Characteristics

Examples

Non-Examples

Sample

SAISD Social Studies Department

Reproduction rights granted only if copyright information remains intact.

Finding the Central (Main) Idea Information Sheet

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Student Name: _________________________!

Class: _____________

Definition

Characteristics

Examples

Non-Examples

SAISD Social Studies Department

Reproduction rights granted only if copyright information remains intact.

Frayers Four Square

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