Description:
Metaphors are figures of speech that use an image, story, or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing, quality, or idea. Metaphors involve making creative comparisons and connections between dissimilar things. Much more vivid than literal description, the use of metaphors helps to convey the import and depth of ideas. By comparing the tangible with the intangible, students are able to delve into higher-level, interpretive thinking and deepen their comprehension.
Synectics, a term coined by industrial psychologists William Gordon and George Prince (1961), was originally used as a problem-solving strategy. The term is formed from two Greek roots: syn=bringing together and ectics=diverse elements. Four Box Synectics is simply a graphic organizer that provides a framework for students to think metaphorically about a featured topic. Synectics promotes fluid and creative thinking by “making what is familiar strange” or comparing two things that would not ordinarily be compared.
Instructional Steps:(All new literacy strategies require initial modeling and support for optimal results.)
- Prepare a chart of the Four Box Synectics organizer.
- Put students into small groups of 3-4 each.
- Ask for four items in an assigned category (e.g. commonly found household objects, animals, things found in a forest, foods, etc.) Place one item in each of the four boxes.
- Reveal the sentence “A ______is like a ______because…..” and groups have three minutes to brainstorm sentences using each of the four items at least once. Students should try to complete as many sentences as they can in the allotted time. Remind students to create connections using specific information and details learned about the featured topic. It must be relevant!
- Have students pick the two best sentences to share with the whole group.
When can this strategy be used?
Before instruction During instruction After instruction
How can this strategy be adapted?
- This strategy can be used with any content and the four items to be used as comparisons can be creative and even student-generated. You could have a classroom jar of “random” items and encourage students to think metaphorically by drawing items from the jar.
- Have students create a comparison and develop their ideas in writing targeted to a specific audience (small children, non-tech savvy folks, a medical patient, etc.)
How can you incorporate technology when utilizing this strategy?
Use a randomizer on the Smartboard to determine the categories and/or items that will be used for creating the comparisons.
For more information about the Metaphorical Thinking and Four-Box Synectics:
- Project CRISS manual, third edition (2004) page 96 “Comparison Organizers.”
- Inquire: A Guide to 21st Century Learning (2012) pages 36-37.
- Gallagher, Kelly. (2004). Deeper Reading. Includes metaphorical graphic organizers.
Four Box Synectics Framework and Example
Plagiarism is like ______because ______.