Plan 3 components into every anchor chart

reading

Plan 3 components into every classroom anchor chart

Anchor charts provide a visual way to capture key information about a new concept or complex strategy. Anchor charts in the classroom offer great versatility and can be adapted for various subjects—such as a reading anchor chart for outlining key reading strategies or a writing anchor chart for helping students structure their writing effectively. But for an anchor chart to be effective, it requires careful planning.

Whether you use chart paper, foam board, or Google Slides, the content of an anchor chart is built during the whole-class lesson, piece by piece, in front of students. However, before revealing even the first piece, it’s important to know what your final anchor chart will contain.

Anchor Chart examples:
Inferences | Context Clues | Reader Voices | Author Choices

Anchor Chart examples:
Inferences | Context Clues | Reader Voices | Author Choices

This requires planning three key pieces of information.

1. Title the anchor chart

Identify the single skill, strategy, or concept within a title across the top. Use accurate academic vocabulary and make the font as big as possible.

(Although an anchor chart is at the front of the room during initial learning, it will be replaced when a new skill is introduced. This week’s chart will move to the side or back of the room for continued practice. Therefore, make the fonts large enough on classroom anchor charts to be read from across the room.)

2. Plan the content

If the skill, concept, or strategy is complex, then it makes sense that it’s hard to explain. Therefore, don’t “wing” this wording during the lesson. Rather, plan how to communicate the important information effectively on the anchor chart.

• Determine the steps, facets, types, or characteristics the skill includes.
• Choose precise wording to explain what it is and how it works.
• Edit all those words to maximize efficiency and font size.

Notice what is NOT on the anchor chart—examples of the skill in action. This visual tool reveals how the concept works universally.

While many examples are completed during the lesson, they are not captured on the anchor chart. Rather, the teacher executes examples on a whiteboard while referring to the anchor chart for the thinking process.

3. Plan out the spacing

Anyone who has ever tried to make a homemade “Happy Birthday” card will know why this is important. If you make that “H” or “B” too big, then the rest of the letters shrink in size across the top of the card. This is true for anchor charts made on the fly, as well.

After planning what to say, now determine how to display it.

• Brainstorm anchor chart graphics, symbols, & visuals that communicate information—not just add decoration.
• Use color to show relationships and to build on prior knowledge.
• Consider the use of bullets, numbers, lines, or arrows to convey sequence and specifics.

Planning the complete anchor chart BEFORE the first lesson ensures a smooth build of the chart DURING the lesson. And when the anchor chart is organized and easy to follow, it will be a powerful reminder for students even AFTER the lesson.

Related Articles