For a routine you can use with any text, topic or word list.
Printable mats students use again and again, from visible thinking routines to vocabulary routines.
Common questions
What are literacy mats?
Literacy mats are printable A4 mats that give students a clear, repeatable routine for thinking or working with words. Students learn a few routines well and reuse them all year, instead of starting a new worksheet each time.
What's the difference between the thinking mats and the vocabulary mats?
The Visible Thinking Routines mats help students explain their thinking about a text, image or topic, with routines like See, Think, Wonder. The Vocabulary Routines mats help students learn, explore and use new words, with routines like Word Map and Word Cline. They're designed to be used together.
Can I use the mats with any text or topic?
Yes. The mats aren't tied to a unit. Each has a line for the word, topic or text you're working on, so they work with any picture book, class novel, word list or unit.
What's the difference between Guided and Open mats?
Guided mats include prompts and sentence starters for students who are new to a routine. Open mats give more space for confident students, so you can differentiate without changing the routine.
Which year levels are they for?
Both sets suit Years 2–6, and each teacher guide shows which year levels each routine works best for.