Concept+Clarification


 * Concept Clarification**

Concept clarification is a process that defines a concept by identifying its critical attributes, providing examples, and creating analogies to help students visualize or remember the concept. Concept clarification can be used either to introduce new concepts or to extend known concepts and stimulate new ways of thinking. It uses a frame or visual organizer in the clarification process, often employing increasingly complex frames or models as student competency improves. Concept clarification is often used in math to focus on precise information about the characteristics or criteria of concepts.
 * Description**

The teacher:
 * Method**
 * models concept clarification strategies;
 * involves students in questioning and refining the critical attributes;
 * encourages alternative ways of thinking through the use of analogy;
 * provides prepared concept clarification frames;
 * decides when more complex frames are required;
 * provides prompts to help students better understand the critical attributes of a concept.

Concept clarification:
 * Considerations**
 * provides students with an investigative tool to define concepts;
 * is a time-consuming but effective strategy for developing concepts;
 * ensures that students understand the concept and have not just memorized a definition.


 * Illustrations from the Mathematics Classroom**

Under construction. Please make a contribution.
 * Elementary**

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 * Secondary**