1. The Concept Mastery Routine
The Content Enhancement Series
1999
The University of Kansas
Center for Research on Learning
Lawrence, Kansas 66045
Advance Organizer
The Unit Organizer Routine: Title Page
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 1/98

2. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Content Enhancement
A way of teaching an academically diverse group of students in which:
Both group and individual needs are valued and met;
The integrity of the content is maintained;
Introduction to the Unit Organizer Routine
Content Enhancement Definition
Guidebooks in the Content Enhancement Series
The Challenge
Responding to the Challenge: The Unit Organizer Routine
Supporting Research
Components of the Unit Organizer Routine
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 1/98

3. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Content Enhancement
A way of teaching an academically diverse group of students in which:
Critical features of the content are selected and transformed in a manner that promotes student learning; and
Instruction is carried out in a partnership with students.
Introduction to the Unit Organizer Routine
Content Enhancement Definition
Guidebooks in the Content Enhancement Series
The Challenge
Responding to the Challenge: The Unit Organizer Routine
Supporting Research
Components of the Unit Organizer Routine
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 1/98

4. The Concept Diagram Teaching Device
Is a visual device that:
is used under teacher guidance
facilitates teaching about an important but different concept
focuses attention on the overall concept
identifies critical characteristics of the concept
prompts elaboration based on prior knowledge
helps students analyze the differences between examples and nonexamples of the concept
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

5. The Concept Diagram Teaching Device
Is a visual device that:
provides a way for students to practice with new examples
guides in creating good definitions
is designed to enhance student
understanding of new concepts
remembering of ways to think about information
responses to evaluation tasks and activities
belief in the value of the content
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

6. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
CONCEPT DIAGRAM
Always Present
Sometimes Present
Never Present
Examples:
Nonexamples:
TIE DOWN A
DEFINITION
EXPLORE EXAMPLES
Key Words Å
PRACTICE WITH NEW EXAMPLE
CONVEY CONCEPT
NOTE KEY WORDS
OFFER OVERALL
CONCEPT
CLASSIFY
CHARACTERISTICS Æ Ä À Á Â Ã
The Challenge
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 1/98

7. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Important Terms
Concept
A category or class into which events, ideas, or subjects can be grouped. All members of the came concept class must possess all of a set of critical characteristics.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

8. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Important Terms
Concept
In social studies, concepts include government, revolution, and electoral process.
In science, concepts include igneous rocks, vertebrates, and evolution.
In English, concepts include a sentence, sonnet, and simile.
In mathematics, concepts include triangle, algorithm, and multiplication
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

9. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Important Terms
Overall Concept
The category or class into which the targeted concept and similar concepts can be grouped.
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

10. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Important Terms
Characteristic
Things that set examples of a concept apart from examples of all other concepts. Other words for "characteristics" include "qualities," "traits," or "attributes."
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

11. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Important Terms
Examples
Individual things, events, ideas, or processes
possess all of the "always characteristics”
possess none of the "never characteristics”
may contain some of the "sometimes characteristics"
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

12. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Important Terms
Nonexamples
Individual things, events, ideas, or processes
lack at least one of the "always characteristics” or
have at least one of the "never characteristics"
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

13. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
Important Terms
Definition
Includes the following in a complete sentence:
the name of the targeted Concept
the name of the Overall Concept
all of the Always Characteristics that must be present in all examples of the concept class
any special rule joining the Always Characteristics
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99

14. University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99
CONCEPT DIAGRAM
Always Present
Sometimes Present
Never Present
Examples:
Nonexamples:
TIE DOWN A
DEFINITION
EXPLORE EXAMPLES
Key Words Å
PRACTICE WITH NEW EXAMPLE
CONVEY CONCEPT
NOTE KEY WORDS
OFFER OVERALL
CONCEPT
CLASSIFY
CHARACTERISTICS Æ Ä À Á Â Ã
elephant
human
warm-blooded
nurse the young
whale
bird
shark
walk on 4 legs
can fly
cold-blooded
Mammal
Vertebrate
has hair
walks on 2 legs
walks on 4 legs
swims in water
moves on the ground
is cold-blooded
bat
snake
alligator
A mammal is a warm-blooded vertebrate that has hair and nurses its young.
duckbill
platypus
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning 5/99