Activating+Prior+Knowledge


 * DEFINITION:** Prior Knowledge is the background information that a reader brings to the text.

** HOW IT HELPS WITH COMPREHENSION :** It helps the reader with comprehension because students relate the unknown to the known.


 * HOW IT WORKS: **Activating prior knowledge is done through strategic teacher questioning. Students' subject knowledge (school type knowledge) and personal knowledge are activated through aesthetic experiences, comparing and contrasting, creating and modifying schemas. Student attitudes, beliefs and misconceptions play a role in comprehension. Overall, students build connections in order to further comprehend the text.

For example, create a KWL chart before Reading.

Scenario: We are going to be reading a new story in our literacy class today friends. The story is called "What do you do with a tail like this?" Let's fill out a KWL chart to activate some prior knowledge.

~What do the students __**know**__ about the topic.
~What do the students want to know about the topic? ~What did the students learn?

==== **More examples of activating prior knowledge-** Asking content rich questions during discussions, creating graphic organizers: Flow-chart, semantic mapping (word web). For more examples visit: [|Graphic Organizer]====
 * K || W || L ||

~Watch this youtube video for an example of how students make predictions and activate prior knowledge (A student that says its about tigers and then another student comments that Tigers are the most endangered species=prior knowledge and bringing it to the forefront). [|Word Study in Action] =**Picture Books!** =





~Happy teaching from Michael/Karina/Sarah B!! : )