LITERACY STRATEGY # 11“CUBING”

Jessica L. Sepúlveda Rivera

CUBING: GRADES 3-8 With this strategy students explore a topic

from six dimensions or viewpoints. The name comes from the fact that cubes

have six sides. Students can use the cube as a way to

review a topic they have been studying. This way is less formal and focuses on using

cubing as a tool for learning Cubes can also be used to demonstrate what

they have learned during a thematic unit. This way is more formal and students use the

writing process to draft, revise and edit their writing for each side of the cube.

Jessica

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SIX DIMENSIONS1. Describe the topic,

including its colors, shapes and sizes.

2. Compare the topic to something else. Consider how it is similar to or different from this other thing.

3. Associate the topic to something else and explain why the topic makes you think of this other thing.

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SIX DIMENSIONS

4. Analyze the topic and tell how it is made or what it is composed of.

5. Apply the topic and tell how it can be used or what can be down with it.

6. Argue for or against this topic. Take a stand and list reasons to support it.

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STEP BY STEP1. Choose a topic.

Students choose a topic related to a literature focus unit or thematic unit

for the cubing

2. Divide students into groups.Students will work in six small groups;

each group examines from one of the six dimension. As an alternative, teachers

can divide the students in to six-member groups and have each group cube the topic (each member in each group will examine the topic from one of the six dimensions and the group will create a cube).

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STEP BY STEP3. Brainstorm.

Students brainstorm ideas about the dimension and write a quickwrite or

make a drawing using the ideas gathered though brainstorming.

4. Complete the cube. Students can share their quickwrites

with the class then attach them to the sides of the box. Students can also construct a cube by folding and gluing cardboard or paper into a six-sided box.

Jessica

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CUBING: GRADES K-2 The cubing exercise is an excellent students

of all ages. However for the younger grades I recommend making some simple modifications to the content of the cube.

For example the Story Elements Cube. This cube consisted of:

1. Characters2. Setting3. Plot4. Problem/Solution or the student’s favorite scene5. Point of View6. Theme

Jessica

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CUBE DESIGNJe

ssica L. S

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REFERENCE

Tompkins, G. E. (2004). 50 Literacy Strategies: Step by Step. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

Jessica

L. Sepúlv

eda R

ivera