Abstract & Concrete

Recommended Practice: Connect abstract and concrete representations of concepts.

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Video

Connecting Abstract and Concrete Representations of Concepts

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > Overview & Tools

View this multimedia overview to learn about how connecting abstract ideas with concrete situations can help students understand difficult concepts and transfer their knowledge to new situations.

Resource Type

Overview

4119 views
Video

Using Concrete Situations to Introduce Content

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > Learn What Works

In this interview, Dr. Brian Bottge talks about how teachers can introduce content with real-world problem scenarios and make connections with abstract concepts.

Resource Type

Expert Interview

2589 views
Video

Making History Come Alive

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > See How It Works

Social studies teacher and curriculum trainer Matt Moorman explains how to help students understand abstract ideas by using visual techniques, including graphic organizers and visual...

Resource Type

School Example

2319 views
Video

Connecting Classrooms to the World

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > See How It Works

Teachers at Normal Park Elementary explain how they use learning expeditions to make abstract concepts from textbooks into more memorable and understandable, concrete experiences for their...

Resource Type

School Example

1583 views
Video

Demonstrating Thermal Layering

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > See How It Works

Using an aquarium and food coloring, science teacher Tasia Stamos re-creates the layers of warm and cool water in a summer lake to help her students visualize the effects of thermal...

Resource Type

School Example

2005 views
Video

Cupcake Geology: Using Models to Explain Abstract Concepts

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > See How It Works

In this multimedia presentation, fifth-grade teacher Deb Wickerham describes how she uses models and hands-on activities to help elementary students understand complex earth science concepts. See...

Resource Type

School Example

2668 views
Document

Student Assignment: Acme Landscaping Closure Activity

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > See How It Works

View an end-of-unit assignment from the math department at Kettle Moraine High School that asks students to explain in concrete terms the abstract concept of tangent ratios. Related...

Resource Type

Sample Material

1434 views
Document

Graphic Organizer for Teaching Vocabulary With Visuals

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > See How It Works

Middle-school teacher Bonnie Bowen uses this graphic organizer in her classroom to incorporate the use of visuals in vocabulary instruction. Related Files: Plainwell Middle School...

Resource Type

Sample Material

2709 views
Document

Lesson Plan: Cupcake Geology

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > See How It Works

View the lesson plan from Deb Wickerham's activity called "Cupcake Geology," which uses physical models to illustrate geologic concepts. Related Media and Files: Cupcake Geology: Using...

Resource Type

Sample Material

1986 views
Document

Learning Together About Connecting Abstract and Concrete Representations of Concepts

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > Overview & Tools

This training activity can be used to convene a school in-service session for teachers to learn why and how to make concrete connections to abstract concepts. Related Media and...

Resource Type

Tool

1655 views
Document

Discuss and Design: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Visual Representations

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > Overview & Tools

Use this tool to guide discussions, in groups, of ways to use graphics to promote learning. Related Media and Files: Using Graphics to Support Learning (Slideshow and Transcript)

Resource Type

Tool

1901 views
Document

Planning Chart Activity: Incorporating More Concrete Connections to Abstract Concepts

Organize Your Teaching > Abstract & Concrete > Overview & Tools

This tool provides a format for brainstorming activities that use understandable representations to teach difficult concepts.

Resource Type

Tool

1827 views
  • All 12 Items