Building on prior knowledge
This strategy is utilised before reading a text.
ACTIVITIES TO HELP BUILD ON PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
KWL
BRAINSTORMING
FLOORSTORMING
- According to Winch et al. (2014, p.92), before reading a text students need prior knowledge about :
- the topic of the text
- the text-type
- the structure, layout and features
- the vocabulary
ACTIVITIES TO HELP BUILD ON PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
KWL
- A KWL chart is a good way for students to build on their knowledge over the course of a lesson/unit. At the beginning of the lesson, students write down what they already know about the topic, text type, structure, vocabulary (K) and what they want to know or questions they have (W).
- At the end of the lesson/unit, students can fill out what they have learned (L) to see how far they have come.
- Student can begin with a concept map of what they already know.
- As they gain more knowledge through the lesson/discussing with peers, they can build on this map.
- Link key ideas
BRAINSTORMING
- Get all members of the class to contribute their ideas.
- Display all the students' ideas on the whiteboard.
FLOORSTORMING
- Students sit in small groups on the floor.
- Write down their ideas onto a sheet of butcher's paper.