Zooming In and Zooming Out (ZIZO) strategy

Zooming In and Zooming Out

Reading component  Comprehension
Related Standard(s) of Learning

 Overview of the strategy
The Zooming In and Zooming Out (ZIZO) strategy was developed by Harmon and Hedrick primarily to enhance concept development in social studies texts, but in general, it works well with  concept- laden  informational texts. It involves a two-part framework — one part for situating the concept in its larger picture (ZO) and the other for taking a close look (ZI). The ZI part contains three components:
1) identifying the concept,
2) ranking important information about the concept, and
3) listing unrelated or  improbable expectations related to the concept (non-examples).

The ZO part also contains three components:
1) identifying similar concepts,
2) identifying related concepts or events, and
3) summarizing.

 Strategy procedure
1.  Choose an informational text that introduces one important concept. The text should be on the instructional reading level of students. Write the concept on the board, and activate students’ background knowledge about it by brainstorming with the class as a whole and listing their responses on the board.
2.  Distribute the text, and assign students to read it with partners or individually. Instruct students to highlight or list new information learned while reading.
3.  Revisit the brainstormed list to add new information and correct any misconceptions. Model how to differentiate important ideas on the list from less important ones.
4.  Assign students to small groups to come to consensus about which three ideas are the most important and which three ideas are the least important. Revisit the brainstormed list to identify the most important and least important ideas, as determined by the small groups.
5.  Distribute and display on the overhead the ZIZO Frame graphic organizer (see next page). Write the concept in the center, and list the most important and least important ideas in the appropriate spaces.
6.  Discuss with students what the concept reminds them of, and record appropriate responses in the circle labeled “Similar to.”
7.  Discuss with students the related ideas or concepts by prompting with, “You cannot discuss this topic without mentioning ___________________.” Record appropriate responses in the circle labeled “Related concepts.”
8.  Discuss with students the non-examples by prompting with, “What does this concept not tell us?” or “What things would you not expect this concept to do?” List the appropriate responses in the box labeled “Non-examples.”
9.  Assign students to small groups again, and have each group come to consensus about a summary statement to share with the class. 
10.  Choose or synthesize the best summary statement(s) to record on the summary oval of the ZIZO Frame.