Why Use This Tool

This tool helps learners dig into key concepts in any discipline by seeing important concepts at global and local scales and making connections between ideas. Learners can create these word diagrams for major ideas, then return to them throughout their learning.

When to Use This Tool

• Stage(s) of Learning: Engage, Explore - Use this activity to pre-teach important vocabulary or to record important information as learners explore content.
• Time: ~10 minutes
• Audience: All Ages - This tool can be used to introduce or reinforce key disciplinary vocabulary at any age. Younger learners may wish to draw, rather than write, some of their entries.
• Ease of Use: Simple - This activity requires choosing key disciplinary vocabulary and providing an accurate definition.

How to Use This Tool

Preparation: Identify one or more key concepts related to an upcoming topic or unit of study, with definitions. Prepare copies of the worksheet for learners.

Directions:

1. Distribute the worksheet to learners and assign learners one or more key concepts to complete
2. Provide a formal, age-appropriate definition for the key concept that students can use to fill the “definition” section of their worksheet
3. Explore content related to the key concept, through discussions, readings, and videos that provide examples and clarification of those key concepts
4. Complete the remaining spaces on the worksheet based on student exploration.
5. Share and save these worksheets to return to later as learners develop increasingly complex understandings of these concepts

Modifications, Variations, and Extensions:

• Encourage younger learners or learners who prefer graphic representation to draw the “Example” portions of the worksheet
• Post completed key concept worksheets on a “Word Wall” in the learning space and ask learners to relate new content to the key concepts as they learn more.
  • Ask: “Did we learn anything about [concept] today?”

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