Anchor charts are good visual aids to remind students of protocols, behaviors or key points. They can be prepared ahead of time or co-created with students.
Anchor charts:
- are most effective when they are clear, legible, and concise.
- are hard to use when crowded with information, especially when in the midst of work.
- for early readers should contain drawings and minimal text.
Anchor charts can be used to display:
- Steps in a Process
- Rules or Behavior Norms
- Vocabulary terms
- Key Information
- Models
Anchor charts are only useful when teachers actively use them as a classroom resource. Ways to use anchor charts include:
- When students need help—ask them if there is a note or step in the anchor chart that can help them
- When students are writing or engaging in discussion—ask them if there is a term of information in an anchor chart that they should use
- When students forget a process—ask them what the anchor chart suggests
- When students need feedback or to develop their self-regulation—ask them to compare their work to the anchor chart model
For more support on using Reading Thinking Steps anchor chart see Ways to Use the Reading Thinking Steps.