Teaching Strategies

Teaching Strategy: Quadraramas

www.teachnet.com

(Alice Pickel)

As demonstrated in Chapter Two, understanding the causes and effects of historical events is paramount for our students to help them to learn from the mistakes and experiences of our ancestors. One way for students to communicate their comprehension is by creating visual constructs. Quadraramas are four-way triangular dioramas made from construction paper. Students may create quadraramas to demonstrate, among other things, comprehension of story elements, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, sequencing, historical events, and scientific procedures.

• scissors
• glue sticks (or stapler/scotch tape)
• 9 x 9 squares of construction paper (4 per child or group)
• small paper clips
• markers or crayons
• a sample of the finished product
• (optional) small dowel rods or 10" pipe cleaners

1. Students will demonstrate comprehension of a story by completing a quadrarama.
2. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the usefulness of quadraramas by discussing the benefits.
3. Students will learn how to teach others to make quadraramas.

1. Take a 9" square of construction paper and fold it diagonally twice.
2. Open. There should be an X fold pattern on the paper.
3. Cut from one corner to the middle on a fold line.
4. Overlap the bottom triangles and glue or staple.
5. Background should be drawn on the top two triangles before gluing/stapling.
6. You will make four triangles (**called "triaramas") in all. Decorate each of the four triaramas with scenes from the story. Above or below each scene, write one or two sentences that explain what is happening in the scene.
7. Glue or staple the four triaramas together in order. (If you glue, consider holding the pieces in place with paper clips until the glue dries.)
8. The author of the website suggests that you insert a stick (e.g., a kabob stick) in the center and put a flag with the author's name, book title, etc. on the flag.
9. Invite students to talk you through putting the quadrarama back together.
10. Discuss the main events of a popular fairy tale with which all students are familiar. With the students, decide what to write and draw in each of the four pieces of the display.
11. Check for Understanding: ask students to discuss in a pair and share format
    1. how a quadrarama is made,
    2. the purpose of a quadrarama, and
    3. any questions they may have about the method or process.

Then call on volunteers to relate their conversations to the whole group.

Independent Practice: In groups of two or three, students will create their own quadraramas about the stories of their choice. It may be from the books in your classroom library, or it may be from a story they know well.