Activating Prior Knowledge

Activating Prior Knowledge

Activating Prior Knowledge is important because it helps students make connections to the new information they will be learning. By tapping into what students already know, teachers can assist students with the learning process. Here are some strategies that can start students thinking about what they already know about a topic:

KWL Charts

The traditional KWL Chart can be used with any content area to start students thinking about what they KNOW about a topic, what they WANT TO KNOW about that topic, and what they have LEARNED at the end of the unit. It can be adapted for research by adding a column between the W and the L that requires students to think about HOW they will use resources to find the answers to their questions. A KWL Chart can be used as an assessment for learning because a teacher can quickly tell what students already know and understand about a topic. Below are several examples of KWL Charts.

KWL Chart

KWHL Chart

KWLS Chart

KNWS Chart for Math Problem Solving - Vertical

KNWS Chart for Math Problem Solving - Horizontal

Websites on KWL Charts:

Reading Horizons Happenings: KWL Charts

http://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/post/2010/08/23/Reading-Strategies-that-Work-for-Struggling-Readers-KWL-Charts.aspx

Instructional Strategies Online

http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/strats/kwl/

Graphic.Org: KWHL Chart

http://www.graphic.org/kwhl.html

Variations on KWL Charts

http://www.u-46.org/dbs/roadmap/files/comprehension/4KWL.pdf

Back to Instructional Strategies

Activating Prior Knowledge

Brainstorming

Jigsaw

Summarization Techniques

Reciprocal Teaching

Think Aloud