Anchor Charts: An Interactive Tool for Learning

and Collaboration

Presenters: Ms. LaShaunda Brown & Ms. Olivia Brice, Guilford County Schools

Background: What is an Anchor Chart?• An anchor chart is a tool used to support instruction through the visual

reinforcement of classroom lessons.

• Anchor charts are created during the instruction of the lesson. As the teacher models the lesson or strategy, the lesson reinforcement or strategy tool is written on chart paper.

• Students refer to the charts and use them as tools as they answer questions, expand ideas, or contribute to discussions and problem-solving in class.

• Once the lesson is complete, the chart is placed in a convenient student-friendly location that the students can access it independently. This is another vehicle for academic support, especially for the visual learner. (Adapted from Scholastic)

Why use Anchor Charts?

• Anchor charts should be used as anchors for students to remember what they learned and to better understand it.

• Anchor charts provide a record of your instruction.

• Anchor charts make both the teacher's and students' thinking visible and concrete.

• Anchor charts are not written in stone, yet are often elaborated upon throughout a unit of study or school year.

• When co-constructed with teachers, anchor charts are useful to record students' thinking about a text, lesson, or strategy and return to it to remember the process.

Use of Charts• Anchor Charts have an array of instructional usefulness. Consider the following when making

use of anchor charts:

Chart Content:

Is this chart particular to unit ideas/ standards?

Will this chart focus on new learning, or remind students of previously content?

Do you find students need consistent reminders on sequencing steps or logic?

Will this chart be used to reinforce a skill (Questioning the text) or strategy (Identifying Theme)?

Is the chart needed to address managerial/ behavioral procedures?

Display of Charts:

Does this chart support year-long instruction?

Do students only require the information for the duration of a unit?

Is there a way to categorize the charts spatially so that they enhance learning? (Ex: informational vs literary; algorithmic steps; scientific steps)

Will this chart be stationary, or fluid when in use?

Quality Matters

• Anchor charts should only contain the most relevant or important information.

• Only post those charts that reflect current learning and avoid distracting clutter; rotate charts that are displayed to reflect most useful content.

• Charts should be neat and organized, with simple icons and graphics to enhance their usefulness (avoid distracting and irrelevant details).

• Charts are best in simple tones that are easily visible (dark blue, dark green, purple, black and brown—use lighter colors for accents only).

Anchor Charts in ELA: Key Ideas & Details

• This category of charts can be used to reflect skill and understanding of ideas related to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R in the areas of:

Textual Evidence

Central Idea & Theme

Idea Development & Interaction

Anchor Charts in ELA: Key Ideas & Details

Examples of Anchor Charts for Textual Evidence include:

What is Textual Evidence

How to Determine Textual Evidence

Examples of Anchor Charts for Central Idea and Theme include:

How to Determine Theme, Types of Theme

How to Determine Central Idea and Details

Tips for Summarizing Text

Examples of Anchor Charts for Idea Development and Interaction include:

Connections and Relationships (People to Events; Characters to Actions)

Anchor Charts in ELA: Craft and Structure

• This category of charts can be used to reflect skill and understanding of ideas related to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R in the areas of:

Meanings of Words and Phrases

Text Structure

Point of View & Author's Purpose

Anchor Charts in ELA: Craft and Structure

Examples of Anchor Charts for Meanings of Words and Phrases include:

Connotation vs. Denotation

Context as a Clue

Examples of Anchor Charts for Text Structure include:

Elements of Plot

Expository Text Structure/ Non-fiction Text Features

Types of Poetry

Examples of Anchor Charts for Point of View and Author's Purpose:

How to Determine Author's Point of View

What is Perspective?

Types of Author's Purpose/ Why Do Author's Write?

Anchor Charts in ELA: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

• This category of charts can be used to reflect skill and understanding of ideas related to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R in the areas of:

Comparing Text to Multimedia

Argument

Analyzing Texts From Multiple Authors

Anchor Charts in ELA: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

Examples of Anchor Charts for Comparison of Text to Multimedia include:

Components of Text vs. Components of Media

Examples of Anchor Charts for Determining Argument include:

How to Determine Argument

ACE: Argument, Claim & Evidence

Example of Anchor Charts for Analyzing same topic Text from Multiple Writers include:

Synthesizing Information

Anchor Charts Across Content Areas• Math-

• Algorithmic Processes

• Steps to solve equations

• Rules & Theorems

• Science-

• Biological & Chemical Processes

• The Scientific Method

• Social Studies-

• Five Themes of Geography

• Historical Time Periods

References

• Newman, Lily. "Anchor Charts: Making Thinking Visible." Anchor Charts: Making Thinking Visible (n.d.): n. pag. EngageNY. Oct. 2010. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.

• Stewart, Rhonda. "Anchor Charts as an Effective Teacher/Student Tool."Scholastic Teachers. Scholastic, 07 Mar. 2014. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.