Jonathan Hall’s resources are outstanding, Mathsbot is a go-to site for Mathematics teachers, I also really like his NonExamples.com which provides resources ideal for retrieval practice in Mathematics.

NonExamples.com – Jonathan Hall

I like all four formats used here. Seeing this site reminded me of the Frayer Model, I do like the clarity here, in one well-structured diagram we can have a definition and key characteristics which are illustrated very clearly by the use of examples and non-examples, so a great way to give notes and examples for students. As with all Jonathan’s resources, choices are available, many topics are available, or choose random for mixed questions.

On the subject of Frayer Models, I was most interested to see Peter Mattock’s announcement of his project on Frayer models. His website Frayer-Model.co.uk hosts a collection of Frayer Models in the categories Number, Algebra, Geometry and Measure and Statistics and Probability. These models have been created in Microsoft Word ™ so are fully editable.

Research has been undertaken on the effectiveness of the Frayer model for mathematics vocabulary instruction. See Effects of Mathematical Vocabulary Instruction on Fourth Grade Students by Eula Ewing Monroe and Michelle R Pendergrass. The paper states that a major implication of the study is that the CD-Frayer model is an effective method for teaching mathematical vocabulary. Note the examples on pages 21-24 illustrating the different models used in the study.

Students could be asked to generate examples and non-examples themselves, I suspect this would generate good discussions, certainly something I intend using this coming academic year. It seems to me that having students think about definitions rather than just been given them will help them remember them; see Daniel Willingham’s What will improve a student’s memory?

Further Reading

• Vocabulary Knowledge and the Frayer Model Alex Quigley
• Think Literacy, Extending Vocabulary – The Frayer Model – Mathematics
• Reading Educator – Frayer Model
• The Teacher Toolkit – Frayer Model (includes templates)
• AdLit.org Classroom Strategies – Frayer Model
• The Frayer Model: What it is and how to use it  – Teach Hub.com

See also: Literacy Skills in Mathematics