Tip of the Week - KIM strategy

I ran across a nice, basic graphic organizer the other day that looks useful. I’ll be honest, haven’t used it yet with kids. But it looks like one of those graphic organizers that works across grade levels and content areas. It reminds a bit of the Frayer Model graphic organizer but perhaps easier to use.

The KIM model uses a simple three-column organizer. In the first column (K), kids will write the term or key idea, information (I) about that term or idea goes along in the center column and a memory clue, (M) – a graphic or image of the idea – goes in the last column.

The key idea may be a new vocabulary work, or a new concept.  The information may be a definition or it may be a more technical explanation of the concept.  The memory clue is a way for students to fully integrate the meaning of the key idea into their memories.  By making a simple sketch that explains the key idea, students synthesize and interpret the new information, making it their own.  Then, students can reference their drawings to easily remember new key ideas.

Have fun!