Quote of the Week

Never say you are "just" a teacher. That's like saying Clark Kent is "just" Superman.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Top 10 Ways to Best Use Anchor Charts, by Erin Casler, 4th grade ELA and Social Studies Teacher at Stoner Creek Elementary

Teachers are notorious for spending hours on websites such as Pinterest or Teacher Pay Teachers, hunting for the perfect activity to use in the classroom.  I tend to over pin anchor charts.  One thing I have observed is teachers like anchor charts to be neat and beautifully designed.  This leads to teachers pre-making anchor charts and using the same anchor charts each year.  One of the biggest downsides is students not being fully connected.
            Here are a few tips when creating and using anchor charts:

1.     Make the Anchor Chart with the students.  Even if it is not perfect, involve the class as you make the chart.
2.  Teach the Anchor Chart as you create it. It is important to make sure students understand the purpose of the chart.  If you are using a mnemonic or acronym, it is crucial for students to be able to explain and talk about the different steps.  
3.  Take your time as you teach the Anchor Chart.  Sometimes it might take several days to create the anchor chart with your class.  The key is to teach and model each component as you write it. Dont rush!
4.  Post the Anchor Chart.  Once you make the anchor chart, post it in your room.  If it is a strategy the students will use throughout the year, find a good visible location to keep up all year.
5.  HOOK the students when introducing the Anchor Chart.  You can do this by beginning with a quick story or a scenario for its purpose. Students are more likely to remember if there is a hook or reason associated with the chart.
6.  Talk aloud about the Anchor Chart.  Students need to know how and why something is useful.  For example, if you are creating an anchor chart for reading strategies, it is helpful to talk aloud your thoughts.  You might use wording like, Good readers use many strategies.  One strategy readers use is…” (Have students recall or brainstorm to create the list.).  Be sure to give the why do you think these strategies are successful?  
7.  Review the Anchor Chart.  After you first make the anchor chart, spend several weeks reviewing it. You want the information to become second nature to the students.
8.  Revisit the Anchor Chart. Occasionally, take time to provide students with a mini review over the anchor chart.  You can do this by pointing to the chart during a lesson.  For example, if the chart has various steps relating to accountable talk; have students identify one component from the chart to focus on for the day.  Students can focus on asking and telling the component they selected.   
9.  Engage student to student in conversations about the Anchor Chart.  Have the students dialogue with each other as you are teaching, reviewing, or revisiting the anchor chart.  Students should be able to explain both the purpose and generalize the underlining ideas from the chart to current lesson or strategy. 

10.      If you dont like the look of the Anchor Chart you made with the class, you can redo.  I will sometimes recreate another one a few days later for the final posting.   

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