Which strategy helps students see the relationships between various concepts?

The strategy of schema-building is particularly effective in helping students see the relationships between various concepts. Schema theory posits that knowledge is organized in mental frameworks, or schemas, that help individuals make sense of new information by connecting it to what they already know. When students engage in schema-building activities, they actively construct and modify their frameworks based on new learning, thus facilitating deeper understanding and retention of information.

In schema-building, students might be encouraged to visualize connections between ideas, categorize information, and clarify existing knowledge. This process helps them integrate new concepts more seamlessly into their understanding, allowing them to see how different topics or ideas interrelate. Through discussions, graphic organizers, or active engagement with the material, students develop a richer comprehension of the subject matter.

Other strategies, while useful for different purposes, focus on other aspects of learning. KWL charts, for instance, help students organize what they Know, Want to know, and have Learned, but they don't primarily emphasize the interconnections between concepts. Modeling demonstrates processes or skills, but does not necessarily encourage students to explore conceptual relationships themselves. Word sorts aid in vocabulary development and categorization but may not delve into the conceptual links as deeply as schema-building does.