A MODEL of TEACHING

“Concept attainment requires a student to figure out the attributes of a category that is already formed in another person’s mind…

…by comparing and contrasting examples that contain the characteristics of the concept…

…with examples that do not contain those attributes.” (Joyce and Weil, 2000, p )

Step 1 Identify a concept

Step 2 Select words that describe the concept

Exemplars contain the characteristics or attributes of the concept.

FRIEND nice sharing listener

Concept = Friend Positive exemplars: nice sharing listener

Step 3 Select words that do not describe the concept

Negative exemplars do not have the attributes of the category friend.

Negative exemplars spinach stranger table

Step 4 Present the words in pairs to the students

Step 5 Ask students to compare words in yes column to determine what they have in common

Step 6 Present exemplars until most students have grasped the concept

Step 7 Ask students to share ideas concerning the concept and how they arrived at it

Step 8 Provide more exemplars and/or ask students to generate positive exemplars

Step 9 Ask students to describe their thinking as they arrived at this concept

Step 10 Provide a homework activity to reinforce the concept

Other thoughts about concept attainment Can be utilized with students of all ages and grade levels

Other thoughts… With older students, more complex concepts can be utilized and further analysis of thinking strategies can occur

Other thoughts… Helps students become more efficient in attaining concepts

Other thoughts… An excellent evaluation tool; teachers can determine whether important ideas have been mastered

Other thoughts… Researchers support the use of this model