Anchor Charts 101

• Oct. 8, 2017, 4:08 p.m.

Anchor charts have become a buzz word in the education world over the past five years. The intended reason for an anchor chart is to "anchor" the critical content needed to be learned. Here are some essential components of the buzz-worthy anchor charts.

What is an Anchor Chart?

Anchor charts are large representations of a concept or skill that is made during instruction by the teacher AND the students. The goal is to illustrate critical content for students and finally "anchor" the learning. The charts should be hung throughout the room for students to refer back to when practicing a skill, strategy, or process.

How?

For anchor charts to be effective, they should be made WITH your students during a mini lesson. Students must own the learning and have input. I use to think that anchor charts needed to be perfectly worded and written but they do not! As long as the students are learning the critical information and have their input on the chart, the charts will be purposeful. Ask students for input and information about the topic or skill you are teaching. Add their initials to parts of the anchor chart that students contributed to. This will give them ownership of the learning.

Tips!

• Prepare a piece of chart paper with the title. You can have a basic outline or organizer ready to go, but most of the information should be added to the chart in front of the students.
• Add student initials to parts they contribute. Give them ownership of the learning.
• Add content to the chart over time. Chunking the learning will help your students process and store the information. Too much information at one time overwhelms the working memory.
• Hang anchor charts throughout the classroom. When you run out of room, hang them on hangers or tape to the ceiling (Shhhhh....don't tell the fire marshall).
• Use large chart paper 25 x 30.5 inches (click here for an example)
• Keep them simple! Only publish critical definitions, examples, and information.
• Don't worry about being perfect. It's the learning that matters most!