The Frayer Model: Building Vocabulary Understanding

What is the Frayer Model?

The Frayer Model is a used for word analysis and vocabulary building. This of concepts is a powerful learning tool, especially beneficial for visual learners, as it helps develop a comprehensive understanding of vocabulary. Originating from social studies education, it's now widely applied across subjects.

At its core, the Frayer Model consists of a square divided into four smaller sections, with the term or concept placed in the centre. Each section serves a distinct purpose: providing a basic definition, listing key characteristics, giving examples, and noting non-examples.

This structure prompts learners to explore and establish relationships between concepts, facilitating with the material.

For teachers, this method serves to and clarify unfamiliar vocabulary. It moves beyond rote learning and dictionary definitions, encouraging students to think critically about the words and terms they're learning. By breaking down understanding into digestible parts, the Frayer Model helps students not only remember terms but also understand their application and relevance.

Throughout this article, we'll explore the who, what, where, and why of the Frayer Model. We'll provide practical classroom examples and discuss its historical development. The aim is to equip educators with a thorough grasp of how this strategy can enhance vocabulary development and in the classroom.

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Who Developed the Frayer Model?

The Frayer Model was created in 1969 by Dorothy Frayer and her colleagues at the Wisconsin Centre for Education Research. Their main purpose was to help students meet academic vocabulary demands and learn difficult vocabulary more effectively. Dorothy and her team designed the model to support understanding of key vocabulary through explicit instructionand comprehensive word analysis.

Elements of vocabulary instruction such as structure, context, and metaphor are all part of the Frayer Model. It promotes effective word learning through scaffolding, meaning students receive guided practise as they move from a narrow understanding to full mastery. The model also applies to develop deep understanding, encouraging reflective inquiry and creativity.

This is considered a powerful tool for instructing subject-area vocabulary and crucial concepts. The Frayer Model encourages students to learn through concrete examples, allowing them to construct their own understandings so the information can be applied to everyday life. It works for any situation.

If you're interested in using more graphical methods for teaching vocabulary and developing deeper understanding, you can explore the various organisers available in our repository. As well as providing a scaffold for students to learn with, they can serve as a springboard towards clearer and writing.

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Key Features of Frayer Model Framework

The Frayer Model features a four-square graphic organiser with the target word in the centre, surrounded by sections for definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples. This visual structure helps students analyse vocabulary from multiple angles rather than simply memorizing definitions. The model promotes deep understanding by requiring students to distinguish what a concept is and what it isn't.

The Frayer Model includes a four-square chart that provides academic vocabulary knowledge, while clarifying, determining, and analysing difficult vocabulary, word structure and meaning. The central oval has the chosen word written on it. In some cases, parts of speech can also be written in the central oval.

The Frayer Model is a graphic organiser used to help students learn new academic terms. It includes four squares that represent a word's characteristics, definition, examples, and non-examples. This tool allows learners to gain better understanding of difficult words through clarification and analysis.

The model works by having the chosen word written in the centre of an oval. Within each of the four squares surrounding it, associated concepts can be written down. The first square is for characteristics; this includes defining attributes such as sizes, shapes, and functions.

The second box is for the definition; this is usually expressed in one sentence and should cover the general meaning of the word or term being studied. The third box holds an example provided to give context around what can be expected from the given concept or term being assessed.

In the fourth box there's a listing of related non-examples; here you write down items that are related but don't fit into the current definition as presented by either characteristics or examples found in other squares, ruling them out altogether.

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How to Implement Frayer Model Effectively

Teachers implement the Frayer Model by first modelling how to complete each quadrant with familiar vocabulary, then guiding students through practise examples. They can use paper templates or digital tools, adapting the complexity based on student age and subject matter. The model works best when introduced gradually, starting with whole-class instruction before moving to small group or independent work.

1. Introducing new concepts: When presenting a new concept or topic, teachers can use the Frayer Model to help students understand and define key terms, as well as identify their characteristics, examples, and non-examples.
2. Differentiating instruction: Teachers can differentiate instruction by customising the Frayer Model according to students' needs, prior knowledge, or proficiency levels, allowing for more individualised learning experiences.
3. Reinforcing prior knowledge: The Frayer Model can be used as a review tool to reinforce students' understanding of previously taught concepts, enabling them to connect new information with existing knowledge.
4. Encouraging peer collaboration: Teachers can have students work in pairs or small groups to complete a Frayer Model, encouraging collaboration, discussion, and deeper understanding of the subject matter.
5. Supporting visual learners: The Frayer Model's graphic organiser format helps visual learners better comprehend and retain information by organising it in a visually appealing and structured manner.
6. Enhancing criticalthinking: By requiring students to analyse concepts, their attributes, and their r elationship to other ideas, the Frayer Model promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
7. Facilitating self-assessment: Students can use the Frayer Model to monitor their own understanding of concepts and vocabulary, identifying areas where they may need additional support or clarification.
8. Building cross-curricular connections: Teachers can use the Frayer Model to highlight the interconnectedness of concepts across different subjects, illustrating how vocabulary and ideas relate to one another in various disciplines.
9. Preparing for assessments: Teachers can incorporate the Frayer Model into test preparation activities, helping students review and solidify their understanding of key concepts and vocabulary before exams.
10. Encouraging independent study: By providing students with a structured method for exploring and analysing new concepts, the Frayer Model supports independent study and self-directed learning.

By integrating the Frayer Model into instructional strategies, teachers can enhance students' comprehension of subject-specific vocabulary, deepen their understanding of concepts, and promote critical thinking and collaboration within the classroom.

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Building student vocabulary with the Frayer model">

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Why Frayer Model Templates Work

The Frayer Model template is effective because it moves students beyond rote memorization to actively construct meaning through multiple perspectives. By requiring both examples and non-examples, students must think critically about word boundaries and relationships. This structured approach helps students retain vocabulary longer and apply it more accurately in context.

• Teachers need to analyse the concept or keyword they wish to introduce. They'll create a list of features vital to the explanation of the tricky vocabulary;
• Teachers present the concept to students and allow pupils to give examples (photographs or pictures work well for younger children);
• Create a list of all the strong vocabulary that students mentioned on the board. At this stage, it's advisable not to write anything in the diagram yet. Students must be encouraged to contribute to the list or debate examples;
• The teacher asks students what's common among all the examples. Their responses are written on a new list on the board (but the model remains empty at this step);

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The students read the list and then write more examples to the first list and highlight those that aren't present in their reading;

• Students do the same with the second list; they write more features and highlight those not present in their reading.
• The teacher introduces the Frayer Model to pupils and writes the examples in suitable sections (Non-examples and Examples). Students may need to carry out further research to find out if some examples are correct or incorrect.
• The teacher discusses each feature of the second list with students. If a feature is found in all examples, it goes in Essential Characteristics. Features found in only some examples go in Nonessential Characteristics (e.g., a particular size, colour, or gender). Students may carry out further research to determine if certain characteristics are nonessential or essential, either individually or with classmates.
• Students use the information in the model to write a passage (either individually or with partners) describing the provided concept. After writing, they may share details with classmates to discuss the concept. After exchanging ideas, students may write a new passage.

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Frayer Model Examples Across Content Areas

In science, students might use the Frayer Model to understand 'photosynthesis' by defining it, listing characteristics like 'requires sunlight,' providing examples like 'plants making food,' and non-examples like 'animals eating food.' In math, the model helps distinguish concepts like 'prime numbers' by showing examples (2, 3, 5) and non-examples (4, 6, 8). Social studies teachers use it for complex terms like 'democracy' by comparing characteristics and providing historical examples and counterexamples.

While studying a unit, students may need to learn each vocabulary term in a list. Out of this strong vocabulary list, only a few words represent the key terms. For instance, students studying a science unit about rocks might encounter the vocabulary shown below.



 

Even if primary school students learn vocabulary independently from a vocabulary wall, they need to know the relationships between complex concepts and build a deeper understanding of major academic concepts. In the entire vocabulary list, three content terms create the foundation for the whole unit: metamorphic rocks, sedimentary rocks, and igneous rocks. As these phrases are primary to understanding the content, instructors may need to spend extra time ensuring pupils understand them.

In this case, it's helpful to use student-friendly definitions along with a graphic organiser like the Frayer Model. When teachers use instructional methods involving the Frayer Model appropriately, they can incorporate elements of vocabulary teaching including word selection, clearly contextualising and defining vocabulary terms, helping pupils actively participate in word processing, and offering understanding through multiple exposures to phrases.



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Best Subjects for Frayer Model Implementation

Educational experts champion the Frayer Model as a versatile and effective vocabulary instruction tool, promoting vocabulary development and accelerating student learningacross all grade levels and subjects. The model's adaptable approach proves particularly beneficial in elementary classrooms, where pupils are introduced to key concepts and unique vocabulary intrinsic to each discipline.

The Frayer Model consists of four cells, each with a designated title, forming a cohesive layout that encourages learners to go beyond simple vocabulary memorisation. This model functions as a powerful learning tool and graphic organiser, facilitating vocabulary development while simultaneously enabling brainstorming of original ideas and essential characteristics connected to specific topics.

Students using the Frayer Model benefit from a focused brainstorming strategy, particularly beneficial for those who require greater concentration or are prone to distraction. This approach helps students navigate difficult vocabulary and retain information more effectively throughout the learning process.

When implemented before starting a project, the Frayer Model allows students to brainstorm ideas that will bolster their research. Alternatively, it can be used after project completion to consolidate information gathered during the learning process.

The benefits of the Frayer Model extend beyond vocabulary development, serving as an all-encompassing instructional tool that encourages deeper understanding of subject-specific terminology. Its effectiveness in propelling student learning makes the Frayer Model an indispensable resource for teachers, enhancing the educational experience across a wide array of disciplines.



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Adapting Frayer Model for Modern Classrooms

Modern teachers can adapt the Frayer Model using digital tools like Google Drawings, Jamboard, or specialised vocabulary apps that allow collaborative completion and easy sharing. The model can be enhanced with multimedia elements such as images, audio pronunciations, or video examples to support diverse learners. Teachers can also create digital Frayer Model galleries where students can access and review peer work for deeper understanding.

The Frayer Model remains a powerful, free vocabulary development strategy with new digital applications.

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Cost

Free, The Frayer Model is a teaching methodology requiring only paper or digital templates.

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Digital Frayer Model Tools

• Create templates in Google Slides or Canva
• Use interactive whiteboards for whole-class modelling
• AI tools can generate example Frayer Models quickly
• Digital collaboration using shared documents

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Related Vocabulary Strategies

• Knowledge Organisers
• Dual Coding
• Mind Maps

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What Research Supports the Frayer Model for Vocabulary Learning?

The original 1969 research by Dorothy Frayer and colleagues at the Wisconsin Centre for Education Research established the model's effectiveness for concept development and vocabulary acquisition. Subsequent studies have shown that graphic organisers like the Frayer Model improve vocabulary retention by 20-40% compared to traditional definition-only methods. Research consistently demonstrates that the model's multi-faceted approach helps students, especially visual learners and English language learners, develop deeper word knowledge.

These foundational studies have shaped our understanding of how the Frayer Model and similar strategies support vocabulary acquisition. Each offers evidence that teachers can apply directly to classroom practise.

1. Supporting Vocabulary Acquisition in Physical Education Settings (Wickens & Parker, 2019)
   This paper discusses the Frayer Model as a vocabulary strategy that reinforces conceptual understanding in physical education. The researchers found that structured vocabulary instruction using graphic organisers improved students' ability to articulate movement concepts and apply terminology correctly during activities.
2. Model Frayer untuk Penguasaan Kosakata Siswa Sekolah Dasar (Sayekti, 2015)
   This research emphasises the Frayer Model as a powerful tool for understanding abstract and academic concepts. The study found particular effectiveness for visual learners through the four-square model, with students demonstrating improved retention and application of new vocabulary compared to traditional methods.
3. Improving Literacy in Secondary School Geography (Rampersad, Ali & Ali, 2020)
   This study demonstrates how the Frayer Model improved students' reading comprehension and vocabulary use in secondary school geography. Teachers found that students who used the model showed stronger performance on assessments requiring geographical terminology and concept application.
4. A Comparison between the Frayer Model of Concept Attainment and the Textbook Approach (Peters, 1974)
   This foundational paper compares the Frayer Model with traditional textbook approaches, showing its superiority in facilitating conceptual understanding and improving organisational patterns of written material. Students using the Frayer Model demonstrated better transfer of learning to new contexts.
5. Theory-Based Instructional Models Applied in Classroom Contexts (Pham, 2011)
   This research highlights the Frayer Model's effectiveness in supporting self-directed learning, collaborative learning, and critical thinking. The study found that students who regularly used the model developed stronger metacognitive awareness of their own vocabulary learning processes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the Frayer Model and how does it differ from traditional vocabulary teaching methods?

The Frayer Model is a four-square graphic organiser with a target word in the centre, surrounded by sections for definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples. Unlike traditional methods that rely on rote memorisation and dictionary definitions, it encourages students to think critically about word meanings and relationships by exploring vocabulary from multiple angles.

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How should teachers introduce the Frayer Model to students who haven't used it before?

Teachers should begin by modelling how to complete each quadrant using familiar vocabulary, then guide students through practise examples with whole-class instruction. The complexity should be adapted based on student age and subject matter, gradually moving from teacher-led demonstrations to small group work and finally independent practise.

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What are the main benefits of using the Frayer Model over other vocabulary strategies?

The Frayer Model promotes deep understanding by requiring students to distinguish what a concept is and what it isn't, moving beyond surface-level memorisation. It particularly benefits visual learners through its structured graphic format and enhances critical thinking by encouraging students to analyse concepts and their relationships to other ideas.

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Can the Frayer Model be used across different subjects, and if so, how?

Yes, whilst originally developed for social studies education, the Frayer Model is now widely applied across all subjects including mathematics, science, and English. Teachers can adapt the model to explore subject-specific vocabulary such as 'photosynthesis' in science or 'metaphor' in English literature, maintaining the same four-quadrant structure whilst adjusting content complexity.

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What practical challenges might teachers face when implementing the Frayer Model, and how can these be addressed?

Teachers may initially find students struggle with identifying non-examples or distinguishing between characteristics and definitions. These challenges can be addressed through scaffolding, providing guided practise, and starting with concrete, familiar concepts before progressing to more abstract vocabulary terms.

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How can the Frayer Model be adapted for different age groups and ability levels?

Teachers can differentiate the Frayer Model by customising it according to students' needs, prior knowledge, and proficiency levels. For younger students, simpler vocabulary and visual aids can be used, whilst older students can tackle more complex academic terms and provide more detailed analysis in each quadrant.

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What digital tools or resources are available for creating Frayer Model activities?

Teachers can use both paper templates and digital tools to implement the Frayer Model, though the article mentions these are available as free resources. The model can be created using basic graphic organisers or more sophisticated digital platforms, allowing for flexibility in classroom implementation and student accessibility.

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Further Reading: Key Research Papers

These peer-reviewed studies provide deeper insights into the frayer model: building vocabulary understanding and its application in educational settings.

Using Systematic Instruction and Graphic Organizers to Teach Science Concepts to Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability 117 citations

Knight et al. (2013)

This research examines how systematic instruction combined with graphic organisers can effectively teach science concepts to students with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities. The study is highly relevant for teachers using the Frayer Model because it demonstrates how visual organisers can be particularly powerful tools for students with diverse learning needs, providing evidence that structured vocabulary frameworks benefit all learners.

THE ROLE OF VISUAL LEARNING AIDS ACROSS DIVERSE LEARNING STYLES IN HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION 13 citations

Qasserras et al. (2024)

This study investigates how visual learning aids impact high school students with different learning styles, drawing on cognitive loadtheory and dual coding principles. Teachers implementing the Frayer Model will find th is research valuable because it provides theoretical backing for why visual vocabulary organisers work effectively across diverse student populations and learning preferences.

Vocabulary Acquisition in EFL: A Literature Review of effective Vocabulary Teaching Strategies 11 citations

Sutrisna et al. (2021)

This literature review analyses effective strategies for teaching vocabulary to English as Foreign Language students, emphasising the importance of selecting effective instructional approaches. The research directly supports teachers using the Frayer Model by providing broader context on evidence-based vocabulary instruction methods and highlighting why structured approaches to vocabulary development are essential for student success.

ENHANCING VOCABULARY LEARNING IN ELEMENTARY LANGUAGE EDUCATION: EXPLORING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES AND INTERACTIVE APPROACHES 4 citations

Handig et al. (2023)

This study explores effective vocabulary teaching strategies and interactive approaches used by elementary language teachers through interviews with experienced educators. Teachers interested in the Frayer Model will benefit from this research as it examines real classroom practices for vocabulary instruction and provides insights into how interactive, structured approaches enhance elementary students vocabulary development.

This comprehensive literature review on comprehension instruction trends 1 citations (Author, Year) examines current approaches and methodologies used to teach reading comprehension skills to elementary school students, analysing patterns in instructional practices and their effectiveness across different educational contexts.

Parlindungan et al. (2022)

This literature review examines various instructional approaches for improving reading comprehension in elementary students, building on findings from the National Reading Panel report. The research connects to the Frayer Model by demonstrating how vocabulary instruction is fundamental to comprehension development and providing evidence for structured approaches to building student understanding of academic language.