Activating Prior Knowledge
Prior knowledge is the content knowledge and personal experiences the reader brings to the learning task. It is closely related to the schema theory. According to Vacca and Vacca (1993) " the single most important variable in learning with texts is a readers prior knowledge". The more a reader brings to a text the more he will learn and remember what he reads. Christen and Murphy (1991) claim that in order for learning to happen, new information must be woven with what is already known.
To relate unfamiliar text to prior world knowledge and/or personal experience-those connections usually take three forms.
•Text-to-Self When text or pictures remind you of your life.
•Text-to-Text When text or pictures remind you of another book or passage. Finding common themes in author studies.
•Text-to-World When text or pictures remind you of some information that you know about the world
Most educators believe this should be an on-going process, before, during and after reading text. The best predictor of what students will learn is what they already know. Prior knowledge is the foundation upon which new meaning is built.
Activating Prior Knowledge Web Sites
Kid-Reach offers interactive anticipation guides and comprehension questions to answer before and after reading.
Can Teach Resources for Educators
Reading Matters
Overview of the PALS program
Activating Prior Knowledge Activities
To relate unfamiliar text to prior world knowledge and/or personal experience-those connections usually take three forms.
•Text-to-Self When text or pictures remind you of your life.
•Text-to-Text When text or pictures remind you of another book or passage. Finding common themes in author studies.
•Text-to-World When text or pictures remind you of some information that you know about the world
Most educators believe this should be an on-going process, before, during and after reading text. The best predictor of what students will learn is what they already know. Prior knowledge is the foundation upon which new meaning is built.
Activating Prior Knowledge Web Sites
Kid-Reach offers interactive anticipation guides and comprehension questions to answer before and after reading.
Can Teach Resources for Educators
Reading Matters
Overview of the PALS program
Activating Prior Knowledge Activities